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Ravens, Gila monsters, kit foxes, badgers, roadrunners, coyotes, and fire ants are all natural predators of the desert tortoise. They prey on eggs, juveniles, which are 50–75 mm (2–3 in) long with a thin, delicate shell, or, in some cases, adults.
PLEASE NOTE that it is against Federal and California State regulations to intentionally breed desert tortoises. You may NOT artificially incubate eggs. If laid in the ground and they hatch, please contact your local CTTC Chapter for placement assistance.
California’s state reptile is the desert tortoise. A desert tortoise spends 95 percent of its life in a burrow. A female desert tortoise can retain sperm and lay fertile eggs for up to 15 years after mating only one time with a male.
They prey on eggs, juveniles, which are 2-3 inches long with a thin, delicate shell, or, in some cases, adults. Ravens are thought to cause significant levels of juvenile tortoise predation in some areas of the Mojave Desert - frequently near urbanized areas.
Many hobbyists enjoy incubating their turtle's eggs artificially. Below are some general guidelines and simple techniques that can lead to successful incubation. Turtle and tortoise eggs can be hard-shelled or relatively soft depending on the particular species.
7 maj 2024 · Large females laid more eggs and larger eggs. Females dig shallow depressions near den entrances, using hind limbs. Sonoran desert tortoises lay single clutch in June-July when rainy season begins. Eggs are covered, using hind feet; front and hind limbs scrape debris over egg chamber.
Between May and July the female usually digs a nest at a burrow entrance or near a shrub. She carefully deposits 1-14 eggs. The eggs resemble ping pong balls. Incubating for 70 to 120 days, the hatchlings break out of the shell using an egg tooth.
