Where to Learn About Desert Tortoise Biology and the Laws Protecting Them

Updated

The Desert Tortoise Council's website, deserttortoise.org, is the starting point. Its "About Desert Tortoises" section links to pages on desert tortoise biology, the laws that protect them, and guidance for people caring for captive tortoises. The Council has promoted science-based conservation of desert tortoises and their habitats since 1975, so the material is aimed at both the general public and people working in the field.

What the site covers

The navigation on deserttortoise.org groups the educational content under "About Desert Tortoises," with three main entries:

  • Biology of Desert Tortoises — the natural history side: how the animal lives, what it needs, and the science behind its conservation.
  • Laws Protecting Desert Tortoises — the legal side: which rules apply to the species and what protection status means in practice.
  • Captive Desert Tortoise Guidance — practical direction for anyone keeping or encountering a tortoise in captivity.

If your question is "what is this animal and why does it matter," start with the biology page. If your question is "what am I allowed to do," go to the laws page. If you already have a tortoise in your care, the captive guidance is the relevant one.

Beyond the basics

The same site hosts material for readers who need more than an introduction:

Section What it offers
Library → Plans & Best Management Practices Documents on planning and land-management practices
Training Programs An Introductory Course and a Health Assessment Training
Grants & Funding Research grants, including the Leeward Renewable Energy Research Grant and the Morafka Award
Annual Symposium A yearly meeting with papers, posters, and a field trip

The Introductory Course is a recurring training; registration for the October–November 2026 session is full, and the site offers a waitlist. The 52nd Annual Meeting & Symposium is scheduled as a hybrid event at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 24–26, 2027, with a field trip on February 23.

How to use the site

  1. Open deserttortoise.org.
  2. Go to the "About Desert Tortoises" menu.
  3. Pick biology, laws, or captive guidance depending on your question.
  4. For regulatory or land-use work, continue into the Library's Plans & Best Management Practices.
  5. For hands-on training or research funding, check Training Programs and Grants & Funding.

One practical note: the site is organized by audience and purpose rather than as a single FAQ, so the fastest route is to decide first whether you need science, law, or captive-care information, then follow that branch.