Additional resources, research, and news about the Mojave Desert Tortoise.
THREATS
Large-scale solar energy projects in the Mojave Desert are displacing tortoise populations and fragmenting critical habitat corridors. Conservation groups are working with developers to find solutions that protect both clean energy goals and wildlife.
PREDATION
Common raven populations have exploded in the Mojave Desert due to human food waste and infrastructure. Ravens prey heavily on juvenile tortoises, whose shells are not yet hard enough to protect them. This is a significant driver of population decline.
DISEASE
URTD, caused by Mycoplasma agassizii, is a significant threat to wild tortoise populations. The disease spreads through contact and can be introduced by released pet tortoises. Never release a captive tortoise into the wild.
HOW TO HELP
Watch for tortoises on desert roads. Keep dogs leashed in desert areas. Pick up after your pets — waste attracts ravens. Separate recycling to reduce landfill waste that feeds raven populations. Never release a captive tortoise into the wild.
CONSERVATION UPDATE
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and several partners, including U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service, are working to defend the tortoise and its Mojave Desert home from invasive grasses.
POPULATION STATUS
The Mojave Desert Tortoise's population has declined by 90% in some areas. After 15 to 20 million years roaming this land, the desert tortoise is in danger of going extinct. Development, habitat destruction, and other human-caused threats are the primary drivers of this decline.
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