When in Barstow, visit the BLM Discovery Center!  Learn about desert life with live exhibits of several animals natural to the area.   

Desert Tortoise

The desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus morafkai) are species of tortoise native to the Mojave desert and Sonoran desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico and the Sinaloan thornscrub of northwestern Mexico.^[3] Gopherus agassizii is distributed in western Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah.^[3] The species nameagassizii is in honor of Swiss-American zoologist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz. Recently, on the basis of DNA, geographic, and behavioral differences between desert tortoises east and west of the Colorado River, it was decided that two species of desert tortoises exist: the Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and Morafka's desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai).^[4] Gopherus morafkaioccurs east of the Colorado River in Arizona as well as in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Mexico. This species may be a composite of two species.

The desert tortoises live approximately 30 to 50 years; they grow slowly and generally have low reproductive rates. 

How does the Desert Tortoise ADAPT to the desert environment?

They spend most of time in burrows, rock shelters, and pallets to regulate body temperature and reduce water loss. They are most active after seasonal rains and are inactive during most of the year. This inactivity helps reducing water loss during hot periods, whereas winter hibernation facilitates survival during freezing temperatures and low food availability. Desert tortoises can tolerate water, salt, and energy imbalances on a daily basis, which increases their lifespan.^{[5] <<<   from Wikopedia} 

Western Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata

Learn more about the Western Pond Turtle:  Click Here <<<