To learn more about Clark County's Mojave Max community programs, head over to Max’s website: Have a question about pet tortoises? Ask the Tortoise Group: www.TortoiseGroup. ![]() The desert tortoise is Nevada’s state reptile, and serves as an important reminder to respect, protect and enjoy all the animals and plants of the Mojave Desert. Wash your hands thoroughly even when you have had only passing contact with a wild animal. 8,000 Foot Tall Cliffs And Peaks A 15-mile journey west of the airport to the cliffs and peaks of the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon is one of the Valley’s most popular destinations. It receives fewer visitors than other canyons in the area and is a good wildflower trail in the spring. Looking for something fun to do while you are in Las Vegas A Red Rock Canyon tour is a great way to witness Nevada’s true natural beauty. Carry it carefully across the road in the same direction it was heading, and take it no more than a few hundred yards into the desert.ħ. Distance: 2 miles Average time: 1.5hrs Difficulty: EASY-MODERATE Oak Creek Canyon is one of several beautiful canyons cutting into the Red Rock Escarpment. Carefully pick up the tortoise using both hands and hold it upright in its normal walking position.ĥ. While most of the trails in Red Rock Canyon NCA begin along the Scenic Drive, Red Spring Boardwalk sets out from a picnic area off Calico Basin Road on the east. Note the direction the tortoise was heading.Ĥ. Stop your car in a safe place along the roadside.ģ. If you do find one crossing the Scenic Drive or highway, please follow these guidelines from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service:ġ. ![]() Please do not touch, harass, collect, kill, feed, or move desert tortoises unless they are in imminent danger. There are federal and state laws in place to protect desert tortoises and encourage repopulation. More than three million people visit the area each year. Habitat loss and disease have negatively impacted their population numbers. It is about 15 miles (24 km) west of Las Vegas, and is easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. ![]() The desert tortoise is on the endangered species list and is considered a threatened species. Wild sightings at Red Rock Canyon are rare, so if you see one consider yourself lucky and observe from a safe distance. They emerge from brumation in the spring, and head back into their burrows in late fall. Established in 1995, several rescued pet desert tortoises live here and give you a chance to learn about and observe these creatures up-close. Look for their burrows along alluvial fans and washes.Īt the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, you have a chance to explore the outdoor Desert Tortoise Habitat exhibit and potentially see desert tortoises. Desert tortoises live throughout the Mojave Desert along gravelly & sandy soils and feed on a variety of plants including grasses, wildflowers, and cacti. Red Rock Canyon is home to a wide variety of reptiles, but only one can claim the title of official state reptile of Nevada: the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |