Growth of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) in Nevada
Medica PA, Bury RB, Turner FB. 1975. Growth of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) in Nevada. Copeia. 1975(4):639-643
Between 1963 and 1973, growth of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) in southern Nevada averaged about 9 mm per year. Yearly increments were estimated for 5 years (1969-1973) and ranged from a low of 1.8 mm in 1972 to a high of 12.3 mm in 1969. Growth was greatest following winters of high precipitation, which resulted in increased production of winter annuals in the spring. Growth of tortoises generally occurred between April and July. The weight, W (g), of tortoises may be estimated as W=0.000258 X2.98 with X the plastron length in mm.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Medica, Philip; Bury, R.; Turner, Frederick
- Units
- JOTR , MOJA
- Keywords
- age-size relationship, Gopherus agassizii (Desert Tortoise), Mojave Desert, Reptilia (Reptiles), Taxa Links To References, Testudines, Testudinidae (Tortoises)