Winter Activity of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) in Central Arizona

Brian K. Sullivan; Roy Averill-Murray; Keith O. Sullivan; Justin R. Sullivan; Elizabeth A. Sullivan; J. Daren Riedle

doi:10.2744/CCB-1056.1

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1 July 2014 Winter Activity of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) in Central Arizona

Brian K. Sullivan, Roy Averill-Murray, Keith O. Sullivan, Justin R. Sullivan, Elizabeth A. Sullivan, J. Daren Riedle

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Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 13(1):114-119 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1056.1

Abstract

Little is known regarding the activity of desert tortoises during winter, especially for the Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai). We observed adult, juvenile, and hatchling G. morafkai active during November, December, January, and February at 3 field sites in upland Sonoran Desert in central Arizona. At 1 site all individuals under observation (n = 36), including males, females, and hatchlings, emerged from hibernacula to drink during the first heavy (> 20 mm) rainfall event (December); at all 3 sites, females were observed active (basking, foraging) during winter much more frequently than were males.

Chelonian Research Foundation

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Brian K. Sullivan, Roy Averill-Murray, Keith O. Sullivan, Justin R. Sullivan, Elizabeth A. Sullivan, and J. Daren Riedle "Winter Activity of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) in Central Arizona," Chelonian Conservation and Biology 13(1), 114-119, (1 July 2014). https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1056.1

Received: 1 April 2013; Accepted: 1 August 2013; Published: 1 July 2014

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