Photo by William Boarman

Desert tortoises are found in the Mojave and Sohoran deserts of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The Mojave population is state- and federally listed as threatened. The desert tortoise is a large, terrestrial turtle with a light brown to very dark brown shell and thick, stumpy hind legs. Desert tortoises live a long time (50-70 years), mature late, and reproduce few offspring. They eat mostly native plants, including cacti. During inactive periods, they hibernate in underground burrows or caves.