Conservation Corner

What makes an
animal a reptile?

Fun Facts:

The desert tortoise is California’s State reptile, and practices lithophagy – swallowing rocks to aid in digestion.

A tortoise lifespan is
50 to 150 years.

The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is endangered in the wild and is protected under Federal and State laws.

It is illegal to buy or sell desert tortoises, or to take them from the desert.

Desert Tortoise Skeleton

The desert tortoise is well adapted to survival in the harsh environment of the desert. This reptile makes the most of limited food and water resources. It’s scaly reptilian skin is tough and protects against water loss. The tortoise’s sharp claws and strong legs provide the tools needed to dig deep burrows in sandy soils. Tortoises depend on water-rich grasses, plants, and flowers for food. Tortoises relish spring and summer rains and seek out puddles where water collects. They store water within their bodies in a specialized bladder. When water is scarce, they depend upon this internal water reserve to survive. Desert tortoises usually hibernate for at least three months in the winter, but have been known to hibernate for up to seven months.

Tortoises hatch from small eggs laid within burrows and reach maturity at about 15 years of age. For the first five years, life is risky for the small soft-shelled hatchlings, as they often fall prey to common ravens, coyotes, roadrunners, and other predators. Tortoises of all ages face threats from mankind, too. Habitat destruction, pet trade, automobiles, and respiratory disease have reduced their numbers greatly.

The respiratory disease was introduced into wild populations when people released infected desert tortoises they had as pets in an attempt to help re-establish the population. Unfortunately, it did more damage than good. Tortoises and their designated habitat are protected by federal laws. Recovery plans for this species are currently being implemented, and studies are underway to discover more about the tortoises life cycle and how to best manage this wildlife resource and ensure its long-term survival. Please do not attempt to handle a tortoise.

When frightened, it empties its bladder as a defense mechanism. Loss of this important water can prove fatal to the tortoise. Also, it is unlawful to handle a tortoise under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Observe it from a distance. Binoculars or telephoto lenses work well for close-up views.

For more information visit www.tortoise.org

What Makes a Reptile?

Reptiles have existed for about 300 million years, and during the Age of the Dinosaurs they ruled the Earth. There are more than 6,500 species of reptiles in the world, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. Crocodiles/alligators, turtles/tortoises, snakes, lizards, and tuataras are all reptiles.

Reptiles are characterized by a number of features including:

All reptiles are vertebrates (they have a backbone).

All reptiles breathe air with lungs.

All reptiles have skin covered with scales or plates.

All reptiles are “ectothermic,” or cold-blooded, which means they depend on external sources, such as the sun, to maintain their body temperature.

Fun Facts:

Reptiles do not perspire, and do not have any oil glands.

Some lizard’s tongues are longer than their body.

Snakes have no movable eyelids or external ears.

Frogs can breathe not only with the lungs, but also through their skin.

Snakes are the world’s most effective natural control on the rodent population.

The scaly skin of a lizard is made of keatin, the same substance that forms human fingernails.

Turtles and tortoises have hard, protective shells that are made up of 59 to 61 bones covered by plates called scutes.

The Hi-Desert Nature Museum is a member of the American Association of Museums,
Western Museums Association, and the California Association of Museums.