PHOTO GALLERY: Desert Tortoises 

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The following series of pictures are of Caliso Learning's own three desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). They live in their own protected yard, with plenty of space and native plants to forage. The largest and oldest one we have is a male affectionately known as Taco. He was born in captivity from a domestic female also raised in the family. He is our desert tortoise ambassador and is a young 27 years old. We also have two sibling tortoises adopted from The Living Desert two years ago, Guacamole and Rufus, who are each 5 years old. It is still too early to positively identify the sex of these juveniles but their personalities are quite individual! (2006)   "slow crossing" author/photographer UNKNOWN

Photos of Taco, Guacamole, and Rufus: M. Hedgecock, unless otherwise stated.

Taco eating dried indigo bush.      Taco carapace.                    Guacamole as he/she first           Taco pulling mallow branch to eat.    Guacamole eating mallow.   

                                                                                               emerged from hibernation.

Gaucamole with mallow.                                                                                   

Photos of Taco, Guacamole, and Rufus: M. Hedgecock, unless otherwise stated.

Taco eating cactus.                      Taco smelling beavertail cactus.      Taco eating cactus.                     Taco eating cactus.

Photos of Taco, Guacamole, and Rufus: M. Hedgecock, unless otherwise stated.

Rufus "smiling."                            Rufus, opened mouth.                    Rufus eating apricot mallow.