There are over 350 species of tortoises. These land-dwelling reptiles live across the world, from hot and humid rain forests to arid deserts. What do desert tortoises eat in the wild? Keep reading to learn more about what desert tortoises eat in the wild, their unique eating habits, and how you can help save them.
What do desert tortoises eat in the wild?
In the desert, desert tortoises eat a diet of grasses, weeds, cactus, shrubs, and other succulents. Adult desert tortoises can eat up to 80 different plant species, and their diet changes slightly with the seasons.
Desert tortoises eat fewer succulents in the winter and spring, since they have less water content, and more grasses in the summer and fall, when they are more plentiful.
Adolescent desert tortoises eat a more carnivorous diet, including insects and other small animals, worms, and carrion, but they are less likely to eat larger animals as they get older.
Why are desert tortoises endangered?
Desert tortoises are listed as “threatened” in several states and “endangered” in others. The populations of desert tortoises have been declining for decades, mostly due to human development.
Humans often encroach on desert tortoises’ habitat, which can cause these reptiles to get injured or killed in traffic accidents, be attacked by domestic animals, suffer from dehydration, and more. Humans are also taking over desert tortoises’ natural water sources.
This means desert tortoises have less access to clean water and are more likely to get sick. Desert tortoises also rely on burrows for shelter, and these have been disrupted by human development.
How You Can Help Desert Tortoises
Desert tortoises are the most common reptile found in the Southwest. They are adorable, gentle creatures, but they are in danger of extinction. Humans have encroached on their habitat and introduced new threats, like habitat loss, car accidents, and disease.
There are many ways you can help desert tortoises. First, you can keep your cats indoors, so they don’t attack and kill tortoises. You can also learn to coexist with these reptiles.
For example, you can build a wall to stop tortoises from getting onto your property. You can also help spread awareness about desert tortoises. Share this article to help spread the word.
Where to see Desert Tortoises in their natural habitat
If you’re lucky enough to live in the Southwest, you can visit the Southwest Reptile Expo to see desert tortoises in their natural habitat. You can also visit the Desert Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to see adult tortoises.
There you can learn about the threats desert tortoises face, how you can help them, and see other reptiles at these events, including snakes, lizards, and more.
A Quick Guide to Desert Tortoises’ Unique Eating Habits
Herbivores
Desert tortoises eat a diet of mostly grasses, weeds, cactus, and other succulents. They occasionally eat insects and other small animals, worms, and carrion.
Have a long lifespan
The average lifespan of a desert tortoise is 40-50 years. This means that many tortoises may have been alive for most of the human species’ lifespan.
Use their shells for protection
Desert tortoises can grow up to 20 pounds and have a strong, very durable shell that protects them from predators.
Enter a state of “hibernation”
Desert tortoises spend the winter in a state called hibernation, which means they slow down their metabolism to survive in harsh conditions, like cold weather.
Conclusion
Desert tortoises are iconic animals of the desert Southwest. Despite their common appearance, they are incredibly unique and fascinating creatures that deserve our respect and protection. Unfortunately, they are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, disease, and other human activities.
There are many ways that you can help these tortoises survive, though, so make sure to follow these tips and share them with your friends and family so that we can protect these amazing creatures together.
