Desert Tortoises Love Thunderstorms
Desert Tortoises spend the vast majority of their lives underground in the coolness of their burrows. In the cool hours of the morning or evening they may come out to browse the vegetation. They will also be lured outside during thunderstorms to visit spots where they know the water will form puddles. These are the times to exercise the most caution when you're on the road. This adult tortoise was spotted in the middle of the road in the Mojave National Preserve about an hour after a thunderstorm passed through. It was moved safely to the shoulder of the road. It's difficult to spot tortoises when speeding along, especially since their low profile and color blends in with the road. This female desert tortoise was sunning herself on a dirt road in the Mojave National Preserve near Kelso Dunes. She later found refuge in the shade of a desert plant. If you come across a tortoise, do not disturb it. But if you find it in the middle of a well traveled road whe