Desert tortoises are found on flats, alluvial fans, bajadas and rocky terrain. Historically, flat terrain has lent itself to human. Skewing population estimates towards this gentler terrain. - But evidence exists that desert tortoises also frequent Rocky slopes, perhaps for protection from the desert heat. Soil friability, or its tendency to break apart, is another indicator of Tortoise habitat. Desert tortoises need soils they are capable of digging into for burrows. Plant species also play …showed first 75 words of 250 total…

…showed last 75 words of 250 total…addition to a recent encroachment by ravens due To the presence of garbage dumps, desert tortoises also face the threat of a deadly upper respiratory disease in the Western Mojave area. Sadly the desert tortoise's population is only 20 tortoises per square mile. Biologists have identified research Needs and recommendations for funding, reviewed research proposals, developed a manual to educate and aid law Enforcement officials and developed a compensation policy for loss of desert tortoise habitat.