Desert Tortoises Occupy New Habitat At Arizona's San Tan Mountain Regional Park

Mother and daughter relocated to new shelter

(Queen Creek) – As the saying goes, if you build it they will come. Or at least that’s what Joan Perry, Chairman of the Friends of San Tan, was hoping when the Friends group constructed the 30 by 35 ft. Desert Tortoise Habitat at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Armed with den designs and the knowledge that desert tortoises enjoy a diet of native grasses and leafy plants, the Friends built a habitat that included an abundance of natural vegetation found in the Sonoran Desert.

In November 2006, the habitat was completed, a vacancy sign was hung and the waiting period began. On May 14, 2007, the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, a division of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, contacted the Park about the habitat vacancy. Adobe explained that a recent rescue had resulted in 90 healthy, displaced desert tortoises, one mother and 89 offspring. The agency was seeking a new home for the mother, 50-years old, and daughter, 30-years old. The Park and Friends were elated to receive the news!

Several weeks have passed since the mother and daughter duo moved into the habitat; however, the pair remains nameless. At this time, the Friends would like to invite the public to participate in a Name the Tortoise contest. Suggestions may be submitted to park staff at the Visitors Center. The winning entry will be announced at a special Desert Tortoise program on Saturday, September 15 at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. The lucky individual will receive an annual pass, stuffed tortoise and Things to Do book.

To get the creative juices flowing, San Tan Mountain Regional Park has planned a Desert Tortoise Discovery program on Saturday, July 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A representative from Adobe Mountain Wildlife will be available to discuss the natural history of the Desert Tortoise, the adoption program and to field questions. The event also features build-a-tortoise arts and crafts activity and coloring pages for the little ones.

The public may view the tortoises daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The habitat is located on the west side of the Visitors Center. San Tan Mountain Regional Park is located at 6533 W. Phillips Road near Queen Creek. For additional information, contact the park at (480) 655-5554 or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan.

Source: Maricopa County

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