The desert tortoise lives in the arid areas of  Arizona , California , Nevada and Utah.  They can also be found in  Sonora Desert in Mexico. 

    The desert tortoise is different than other tortoises because it has several sharp teeth.  During the month of May Desert Tortoises begin mating.  The males fight among themselves for territory and the best mates.  The tortoises try to turn each other over in order to win.  Tortoises who roll over on their back usually do not survive because they can not turn back over without help.

    Tourists who visit these areas often take this tortoise home as a souvenir.  The tortoises often die when their captors become tired of them.  The state of California is trying to preserve the Desert Tortoise.  They have passed laws that prohibit the capture of the Desert Tortoise.