Book 16, Question 78
How Do Desert Tortoises Survive Years of Dry Weather?
Desert tortoises survive years of dry weather by hiding in burrows and storing water! They drink a lot when they can, then use that water for months. They are real desert survivors, and many can live for decades.
More fun facts
- Adult desert tortoises lose water so slowly that they can go more than a year without drinking.
- Desert tortoises spend about 95 percent of their lives in burrows.
- Burrows help them survive very hot and very cold times.
- In one study, tortoises that drank offered water grew up to 40 percent heavier.
- Desert tortoises have existed for an estimated 15 to 20 million years.
Sources: National Park Service, National Park Service, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
How long can a desert tortoise go without drinking?
Adults lose water so slowly that they can go more than a year without drinking.