Five Desert Tortoise Facts You Might Not Know!

Today kicks off Desert Tortoise Week, a nationwide, annual event celebrating one of our favorite reptiles. When Peavine Pete came into our lives a few years ago as the official animal ambassador for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation we were all excited to have Nevada’s state reptile joining our team, but as we quickly learned there is a lot more to this shelled symbol of the desert than meets the eye!

Fact #1: Desert Tortoises aren’t that big

When you think of a tortoise do you think of something the size of a dinner plate? For most people they first experience they have with a tortoise outside of the famed hare racer, is seeing pictures of the gigantic endangered tortoises such as the famed Galapagos tortoise. These guys and gals look like massive walking boulders and can weigh up to 700 pounds! Our friend Pete however will only reach around 15 pounds and be between 10 to 14 inches long. A good size for sure but not as big as his island cousins.

Fact #2: It’s Brumation not Hibernation

As the weather begins to change and the leaves start to turn vibrant colors animals in the Truckee Meadows begin to experience different behaviors to prepare for winter. Black bears start to carbo-load for their long winter's nap and our friend Pete starts to shift into energy conservation mode. Both Pete and a black bear are getting ready to survive the winter and on the surface what they are doing might seem similar but hibernation and brumation are very different! According to the South Carolina Aquarium “Hibernation and brumation are both periods of dormancy where physiological processes decelerate in response to cold temperatures. Though closely related, hibernation and brumation still have marked differences, most notably the level of inactivity. During hibernation, mammals will fall into a deep sleep, and they don’t eat or drink. During brumation, reptiles don’t fall into total slumber but still have periods of activity. Though they do not eat, they continue to drink to avoid dehydration.”

Fact #3: A Desert Tortoise Diet is Extremely Strict

Desert tortoises are very adapted to living in the desert, it’s right in their name, and their diet reflects that. In the wild desert tortoises munch on grasses and cacti for more than 85% of their nutrition. Their bodies are adapted to take as much moisture from the grasses as possible which allows adult tortoises to survive nearly a full year without access to water! In the wild they also reabsorb water into their bodies from their bladder and can be found in more humid burrows on hot summer mornings. In captivity Pete has a diet that helps him get all the nutrients he would need to survive in the wild but without having to leave his enclosure. As for water we provide him with plenty of water for him to soak in to rehydrate his body, and he’s been known to enjoy several “tortoise spa days”

Fact #4: HGTV Dream Burrow Builders

While Pete was fortunate enough to have our advanced engineers (aka Wetland Techs) build his enclosures at the Rosewood Nature Study Area, in the wild desert tortoises are fantastic burrow builders. Throughout a year a single desert tortoise will use from 5 all the way up to 25 burrows for survival. These extensive homes can be up to 10 feet deep and can host up to 23 desert tortoises as well as provide protection for other various small mammals, birds and invertebrates. These burrows are essential for survival as they help keep tortoises cool in the summer, warm in the winter and provide a safe place for females to lay their eggs. The act of burrowing also helps aerate the soil which in turn makes it better for the surrounding plants!

Fact #5: A Nevada Symbol for 35 Years

In 1989 the Desert Tortoise was declared the state reptile for Nevada. While not found in the wild around Reno, this threatened species can be found roaming the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas. In that time there have been several notable tortoises making news throughout the state such as Mojave Max, Carson the Gubernatorial Tortoise, and our very own Peavine Pete. We’re lucky to have the ability to showcase one of the symbols of Nevada at Rosewood Nature Study Area even if it isn’t where he would normally live.

So there you have it, five fun facts about the Desert Tortoise you might not know. Hopefully with these facts in your back pocket you’ll come by Rosewood Nature Study Area and say hi to Pete. He’ll love to see your smiling face (plus he’s kind of a diva so he’ll want your attention regardless)

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About the Author: Matt is the Communications Manager for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. After serving with TMPF as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017 he worked to promote AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada for four years and is excited to be back at the place that started his journey in the nonprofit world. Matt studied Radio Television Production at the University of Montana and brings over a decade of experience to the TMPF communications team. When he isn't working you can find Matt watching baseball, hiking with his family, or being pulled behind a boat.