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it snaps its jaw
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Unlike snapping turtles, desert tortoises cannot snap their jaws. Since they are completely herbivorous they have no need for fast moving jaws. The only reason some turtles can snap, is because they need to be able to catch fast moving objects, such as insects. However since desert tortoises eat nothing but plants, they have no need to move quickly(because the plants aren't going anywhere).
Now, their number one defensive mechanism is their shell. When they feel threatened, they pull inside covering the openings with their heavily armored limbs. The shell also acts as camoflauge. Say a predator is flying over head and looks down upon the desert tortoise. All it is going to see is a large rock-like object, that looks nothing like food.
However other than the shell, the tortoise has little other defenses. This is mainly due to the fact that few predators have adaptations to get through this first line of defense. So it doesn't need any others.
What else can I help you with?
What kind of tortoises are in the Mojave Desert?
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the kind of tortoise found in the Mojave Desert. This species is native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. The desert tortoise is a protected species due to its vulnerable status in the wild.
Where is 95 percent of a desert tortoise's life spent?
Desert tortoises spend much of their lives underground in burrows.
Is desert tortoise a reptile?
Yes, giant tortoises are reptiles as they have thick scale-like skin, cold blood, and eggs using an amniotic sac.
What tortoise lives in Arizona?
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the species of tortoise that lives in Arizona. They are well adapted to the arid desert environment of the region and are considered a threatened species due to habitat loss and other threats.
What tortoise is compatible with the desert tortoise?
I believe leopard tortoises are somewhat similar, although the coloring is much different and leopard tortoises are the 5th largest tortoises in the world. Actually, none, sorry. Desert Tortoises are all too often carriers of Mycoplasma Agassizii and other tortoise species have no built in defense against that. They are also very sensitive and susceptible to other tortoise species specific disease/parasitic issues and mixing of different species of tortoises is not recommended for just this reason. Groups specific to desert tortoises and their care, issues, etc. can be found in the related links. Hope that helps, Don Williams, (Moderator: CTTC Turtle and Tortoise list ; Gopherus; Vets_for_herps; TortoiseNutrition)
What is a statement for ''desert the herbivore tortoise is a''?
"The desert tortoise is a herbivore."
Is a desert tortoise a herbivore a carnivore or a decomposer?
A desert tortoise is a herbivore.
Is a desert tortoise rare?
The desert tortoise is considered (2014) as a threatened species.
Is the desert tortoise a vegetarian?
Yes, the desert tortoise is a vegetarian, it eats only plants.
From what region is the desert tortoise?
The desert tortoise is a native of parts of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
What does the desert tortoise do to stay cool in a desert?
The desert tortoise spends nearly 95% of its life underground to avoid the heat.
Where does the desert tortoise fall in the food chain?
A desert tortoise would be a first level consumer.
Is a desert tortoise a consumer?
Yes, a desert tortoise is a consumer as are all animals that live in the desert.
What kind of tortoises are in the Mojave Desert?
The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the kind of tortoise found in the Mojave Desert. This species is native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. The desert tortoise is a protected species due to its vulnerable status in the wild.
Where is 95 percent of a desert tortoise's life spent?
Desert tortoises spend much of their lives underground in burrows.
Can a tortoise live only on land?
Yes, there are desert tortoise.
Is a tortoise a producer?
No, a desert tortoise is a consuer. It feeds on plants.
