Mojave Desert Tortoise
Photo Copyright Lynn Chamberlain
Gopherus agassizii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2G3
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
Species range
The species is restricted to the southern half of Washington County in the southwestern corner of the state.
Habitat
Diverse desert scrub habitats are occupied, including those dominated by creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), white bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima), and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Local distribution is determined in part by the availability of natural recesses suitable for use as den sites.
Threats or limiting factors
(Threats to population viability are numerous and diverse (see discussion in USFWS 1994c). Livestock (cattle) grazing is a threat to population viability (Coombs 1977, Berry 1978) through competition for food as well as trampling of food resources, dens, and young. Habitat fragmentation and loss through development is also an important threat. Increased predation rates by common ravens (Corvus corax) may be correlated with urbanization and agricultural development in desert habitat. The prevalence of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease is increasing in most populations and may result in a dramatically increased mortality rate. Other serious threats include predation by domestic dogs, road mortality, and illegal collection. G. V. Oliver, 2001)