Desert Tortoise Crossing Echo Bay Road
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 36° 19.061 W 114° 27.117
11S E 728747 N 4022198
Desert Tortoises are frequently seen in the vicinity of Echo Bay and other areas in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in the Las Vegas region.
Waymark Code: WMFA4A
Location: Nevada, United States
Date Posted: 09/18/2012
Views: 8
This Desert Tortoise Crossing sign indicates that these animals can frequently be seen crossing the road in a particluarly busy two-mile long crossing area.
Accompanying photos show one of these endangered animals as it has just finished crossing an unpaved side road in this area that leads to the Echo Bay Airstrip.
CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!! Do NOT approach these animals or handle them in any way!!! (the accompanying photographs were taken with a telephoto lens). Because they inhabit regions of very little moisture, Desert Tortoises have adapted to conserve as much moisture as possible. Their bodies are designed to retain their urine to be re-absorbed to prevent dehydration. If one of these animals feels threatened, they will release this urine as a protective response. It has a potent odor as strong as a skunk's spray that will usually drive off predators. But if they do not immediately find a source of water to replenish this lost moisture, they will dehydrate and perish.