Gopherus agassizii
In 2004, while clearing irrigation ditches in the spring, a farmer in Plain City, Utah found Lazer burrowed into the side of a ditch. The farmer put him in a Laser printer paper box and brought him to ONC, which is how Lazer got his name. We estimate Lazer was born in 1993. Lazer loves to eat dandelions more than any of his other food options. He will spend hours grazing on dandelions found in the grasses near his enclosure in the spring and summer.
- Average Weight: 8-15 pounds
- Length: 8-15 inches
- Lifespan in Wild: 30-50 years
- Lifespan in Captivity: 60-100 years
Fascinating Facts:
Desert Tortoises listing status is "threatened," just one notch below "endangered." Several factors conspired to diminish the population of the desert tortoise. As more people moved into the western deserts, the resultant loss of habitat made a serious dent in the number of tortoises