Shell 8 to 15 inches long and 4 to 6 inches high; adults weigh 8 to 15 pounds.
How to recognize it
Short tail, flattened front legs for digging, elephant-like hind legs and a high-domed shell
Males have throat shields on the underside that extend out beneath the throat
Where in Arizona
This tortoise occurs in far northwestern Arizona north of the Colorado River at elevations ranging from ~1,500′ to ~3,500′. Arizona Game and Fish Department
What the sources say
Habitat: Primarily an inhabitant of Mohave Desertscrub but also enters Woodland communities in some areas. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
This turtle is found in a small portion of extreme south-central Arizona at elevations ranging from 2,000′ to 3,500′. Arizona Game and Fish Department
Conservation
HDMS: AZ SGCN Tier 2, state rank S2
What the sources say
Habitat: In Arizona this turtle inhabits Lower Colorado River Sonoran Desertscrub, Arizona Upland Sonoran Desertscrub, and Semidesert Grassland communities. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
This turtle is found in the southeastern corner of Arizona where it has been found at elevations ranging from about 2,000′ near Winkelman to over 7,100′ in the Huachuca … Arizona Game and Fish Department
What the sources say
Range: This turtle is found in the southeastern corner of Arizona where it has been found at elevations ranging from about 2,000′ near Winkelman to over 7,100′ in the Huachuca Mountains.
Habitat: Primarily a turtle of low valleys, plains, and gentle bajadas within Semidesert Grassland and Chihuahuan Desertscrub communities. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Small: adult shell usually 4 to 7 inches, up to about 10 inches; females are larger than males.
How to recognize it
Smooth, fairly flat shell with no keel and a smooth (not saw-toothed) rear edge
Red markings on the marginal shell plates
Yellow spot behind each eye and yellow stripes on the chin
Where in Arizona
This turtle’s natural range extends across southern Canada and the northern and eastern United States. Arizona Game and Fish Department
Conservation
HDMS: AZ SGCN Tier 2, state rank S1
What the sources say
Habitat: Generally an inhabitant of shallow, permanent, slow moving waters such as ponds, shallow coves within reservoirs, backwaters, and slow moving portions of rivers. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
Habitat: Natural habitat includes the quiet, heavily vegetated waters of marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow moving rivers. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
Habitat: In Arizona this turtle inhabits biotic communities ranging from Lower Colorado River Sonoran Desertscrub throu gh the woodlands. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
No confirmed photo of Sonoran Desert Tortoise
Sonoran Desert Tortoise
Gopherus morafkai
Where in Arizona
This tortoise occurs along the western border south of the Colorado River and across most of southwestern and south-central Arizona at elevations ranging from near sea … Arizona Game and Fish Department
What the sources say
Range: This tortoise occurs along the western border south of the Colorado River and across most of southwestern and south-central Arizona at elevations ranging from near sea level along the Colorado River to just over 5,000′.
Habitat: Primarily an inhabitant of Arizona Upland Sonoran Desertscrub and Mohave Desertscrub but also enters Semidesert Grassland and Madrean Evergreen Woodland communities in some parts of the state. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
Native to the eastern United States, this turtle has been introduced to permanent waters in southern and western Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department
Conservation
HDMS: state rank SNA
What the sources say
Habitat: Occurs in rivers, canals, urban lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and irrigation ditches within Arizona’s desertscrubs and Semidesert Grassland communities. (Arizona Game and Fish Department)
Agassiz's Desert Tortoise has a wider shell and longer throat shields; location also separates them, with Agassiz's north and west of the Colorado River in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When turtles are active in Arizona
Records of turtles in Arizona peak in March to April and July to September. They show when people record turtles, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
660 records of turtles in Arizona by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
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