";s:4:"text";s:2863:"The Sonoran Desert Tortoise is a large (< 322 mm carapace length in Arizona, < 370 mm for the species) terrestrial turtle with a rough, keelless carapace that is gray to orange-brown, the plastron is not hinged, the hind limbs are elephantine, the front feet are shovel-like, and a prominent median projection extends forward from the front of the plastron (gular shield). SONORAN DESERT TORTOISE Gopherus morafkai : DESCRIPTION: A large (shell up to 380 mm or 15" in length) land tortoise with a dome-shaped carapace (top part of shell) that is marked by distinct growth rings. Saved by Allison Mayes. Sonoran Desert Tortoise The Sonorant desert tortoise is a species found throughout the sonorant range. Description. Dead or alive they are not to be touched, collected, or disturbed in any way. Tortoise Keepers: Attempting to replicate what tortoises eat in the wild is a crucial aspect of responsible captive husbandry. Our seed is hand collected from the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list the Sonoran Desert distinct population segment of the desert tortoise1 as Threatened or Endangered, that critical habitat be designated, and that a recovery plan be developed and implemented under
Tortoises in the Sonoran Desert are most active during the summer rainy season. The underside of the shell (plastron) is usually tan or yellow. This terrestrial species is most active during the day and twilight meaning they are diurnal and crepuscular at the same time. Coloration can be horn, orange-brown, gray-brown, dark gray, or nearly black. Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) The scientific name honors Joseph Morafka for his work with tortoises.