desert tortoise
noun
: a large burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico
Examples of desert tortoise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Robinson, a Sonoran desert tortoise, has become a favorite among Arizona Game and Fish Department staff.
—
Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
Since 2005, more than 200,000 acres have burned in and around the Mojave National Preserve; fires have destroyed lush pinyon pine and juniper woodlands, desert tortoise habitat and ancient petroglyphs.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
In addition to the cultural resources, the region serves as critical habitat for desert tortoise and a migration path for wildlife including bighorn sheep and mule deer, according to the BLM.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024
Suddenly, developers would have to worry about fines for driving over, say, a baby desert tortoise.
—Catrin Einhorn, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024
For instance, the land may be more important for desert tortoises or other creatures protected by the Endangered Species Act than was previously understood.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024
Animals, such as desert tortoises, rather go into a period of dormancy known as estivation to get through hot, dry months, conserving energy and precious water.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023
Visitors can meet Sebastian, a 50-year-old North American desert tortoise, and learn about his different adaptations.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
Free-roaming dogs have also been known to attack wild animals, too — including endangered species such as kit foxes and desert tortoises.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
Since 2005, more than 200,000 acres have burned in and around the Mojave National Preserve; fires have destroyed lush pinyon pine and juniper woodlands, desert tortoise habitat and ancient petroglyphs.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
In addition to the cultural resources, the region serves as critical habitat for desert tortoise and a migration path for wildlife including bighorn sheep and mule deer, according to the BLM.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024
Suddenly, developers would have to worry about fines for driving over, say, a baby desert tortoise.
—Catrin Einhorn, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024
For instance, the land may be more important for desert tortoises or other creatures protected by the Endangered Species Act than was previously understood.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024
Animals, such as desert tortoises, rather go into a period of dormancy known as estivation to get through hot, dry months, conserving energy and precious water.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023
Visitors can meet Sebastian, a 50-year-old North American desert tortoise, and learn about his different adaptations.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024
Free-roaming dogs have also been known to attack wild animals, too — including endangered species such as kit foxes and desert tortoises.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desert tortoise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Desert tortoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desert%20tortoise. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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