Discover How Hikers Work Around the Threatened Desert Tortoise

stay quiet to prevent stressing them out. Otherwise they will hide in their shell until you leave.
On most trails thats all the interaction youll get if you manage to come across the elusive reptile. But in the rare case you see a desert tortoise in the middle of a busy bike trail or in a vehicles path you may need to intervene.
Assess the situation and the reptiles size before handling. If the desert tortoise is in danger of being stepped on or run over moving them off the trail is acceptable. However leave them alone if they arent in imminent danger or move out of the way without help.
What Not to Do If You See a Threatened Desert Tortoise While Hiking
Handling a desert tortoise is illegal unless its in danger.
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Now you know how hikers work around the threatened desert tortoise. But what should they not do?
If you see a tortoise while hiking dont pick it up. When frightened the species voids its bladder. An empty bladder can mean death for a desert tortoise. Their bladder is a water reserve to prevent dehydration in the hot desert. In fact they can store water in their bladder for nearly a year. Without water in their body and a lack of a water source the tortoise can die.
Handling the threatened desert tortoise is illegal under the Endangered Species Act. However there are rare instances where properly handling them is necessary. For example if you are on a road and a tortoise is in imminent danger of being struck by a vehicle safely moving it is acceptable.
Steps to Properly Handle a Tortoise
Always keep a barrier between your hands and a tortoises shell to prevent the spread of disease.
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Dont assume the tortoise needs your help because you see them standing in the trail. Tortoises are slow and often need a few minutes to get moving. As a result you should keep your distance and wait so it doesnt feel threatened. Warn the hikers coming up the trail behind you.
Its unlikely you will need to remove a tortoise from the path but its important to be prepared. Heres how hikers work around the threatened desert tortoise when they need to intervene
Find something to use as a barrier between your hands and the shell. A barrier can be a pair of gloves a shirt or a newspaper. Using a barrier helps
prevent the spread of an upper respiratory disease that tortoises can spread to one another. Firmly pick up the desert tortoise with one hand on either side of their shell Hold the tortoise so its facing away from you with your arms out in front of you. Hold it several inches above the ground and move slowly. Be mindful because the tortoise will try to break free of your grasp. Stay calm and quiet so it doesnt get scared. Dont take them far from where you found them. Gently place them down in the direction they were heading about 50100 feet from the road in the shade. If you place them in the opposite direction they will meander back into the road.
Once you have moved the threatened desert tortoise out of harms way wait a few minutes to guarantee they dont wander back into the trail. Then continue down the trail knowing you are helping conservation efforts by saving a life. 
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