desert tortoise
noun
: a large burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Joining the beleaguered list are the yucca night lizard, which lives under the branches of the tree, pinion pine, manzanita, bighorn sheep, and the desert tortoise. 
Jon Waterman, Outside Online, 15 June 2020 Regardless of its federal legal status, the Sonoran desert tortoise enjoys protection in Arizona state law. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2022 The Sonoran desert tortoise population is stable and not in need of protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2022 O’Connor also recited a lengthy list of groups that support the ban, ranging from marine environmental organizations to desert tortoise protection societies, and said the supporters numbered in the thousands. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2022 After 15 to 20 million years roaming this land, the desert tortoise is in danger of going extinct. Justin Ray, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2021 This is already happening to the Californian desert tortoise. Kat Dwyer, National Review, 5 Oct. 2021 Videos have shown Ranger Freddy eating a cactus fruit, excavating a desert tortoise habitat and safely removing a cholla cactus from his skin. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2021 The vehicles, which were headed to a huge pot farm, streaked through desert tortoise habitat and sent a large cloud of dust billowing over cholla cactus and creosote. Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2021 See More
Jon Waterman, Outside Online, 15 June 2020 Regardless of its federal legal status, the Sonoran desert tortoise enjoys protection in Arizona state law. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2022 The Sonoran desert tortoise population is stable and not in need of protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2022 O’Connor also recited a lengthy list of groups that support the ban, ranging from marine environmental organizations to desert tortoise protection societies, and said the supporters numbered in the thousands. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2022 After 15 to 20 million years roaming this land, the desert tortoise is in danger of going extinct. Justin Ray, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2021 This is already happening to the Californian desert tortoise. Kat Dwyer, National Review, 5 Oct. 2021 Videos have shown Ranger Freddy eating a cactus fruit, excavating a desert tortoise habitat and safely removing a cholla cactus from his skin. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2021 The vehicles, which were headed to a huge pot farm, streaked through desert tortoise habitat and sent a large cloud of dust billowing over cholla cactus and creosote. Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1933, in the meaning defined above