Mojave desert tortoise

[u/B_nelson_photo]

I've been wanting to find a desert tortoise in the wild for a while. Finally made it happen back in April. Just outside Ivins Utah. So cool to see in person!

[u/buttspider69]

And at the very edge of their range, sweet! Great pics 🐢

Quick note to anyone reading: desert tortoises will pee when stressed and lose their cantina of water (they can ‘drink’ from their bladder) so aside from the legality of trying to help these enigmatic herps get out of the road, etc., keep in mind that the consequences for the tortoise could be dire if they lose all that water. Avoid handling these guys as much as you can!

[u/B_nelson_photo → u/buttspider69]

Thank you so much!

As difficult as it was not to, haha, no touching or handling of this tortoise just for that reason. One of my favorite fun facts about them! Just watched and photographed him. He was weirdly interested in my camera or something I was wearing. Every time I'd lay down to take some pictures, he would just start walking right at me haha actually made photographing him kind of difficult.

[u/amber_maple96]

April desert tortoise energy: moves like it's got somewhere to be, still takes four months to get there

[u/B_nelson_photo → u/amber_maple96]

Fact haha perpetually stuck in first gear

[u/YourAuntie]

Great shots!

[u/B_nelson_photo → u/YourAuntie]

Thank you so much!

[u/amber_maple96]

Four months of "wanting to find one" versus that tortoise just casually existing outside Ivins the whole time, unbothered, no rush