Range and habitats of the desert tortoise
Fish and Wildlife Research
13
Edited by: R.B. Bury and D.J. Germano
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Abstract
We determined the current range of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) based on the available latest data from government agencies, the literature, and our experience. We developed the first detailed range map of this species and summarized information about habitat preferences. New records of occurrences were incorporated, and some peripheral localities of questionable authenticity were deleted. The distribution oCG. agassizii covers the broadest range of latitude, climatic regimes, habitats, and biotic regions of any North American tortoise. The northern portion ofits range is in the Mojave Desert of sDuth"eastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and northwestern Arizona. The central portion of the range consists of several subdivisions of the Sonaran Desert in southeastern California, western and southern Arizona, and western Sonora, Mexico. The southern edge of its range is in the semitropical Sinaloan thornscrub and Sinaloan deciduous forest of eastern Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico. This species has marked geogi-aphic differences but seems to construct burrows
throughout its range.
Suggested Citation
Germano, D., Bury, R., Esque, T., Fritts, T.H., 1994, Range and habitats of the desert tortoise: Fish and Wildlife Research 13, p. 73-86.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Title | Range and habitats of the desert tortoise |
| Series title | Fish and Wildlife Research |
| Series number | 13 |
| Year Published | 1994 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | p. 73-86 |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | Other Report |
| Larger Work Title | Biology of North American Tortoises |
| First page | 73 |
| Last page | 86 |