Desert Tortoise Head-start Program at Twentynine Palms Marine Base
Abstract
The TRACRS head-starting facility at MCAGCC Marine Base is functioning well as a hatchery-nursery. Hatching success (percentage of eggs laid that hatched and the hatchlings have emerged from the nest) continues to be about 70 to 80 %, and survivorship of hatchlings and juveniles has averaged over 80% per year. TRACRS now contains 402 juveniles aged 1-6 years, and 52 new hatchlings from 2012, for a total of 454. Some juveniles may be large enough to release (about 100-110 mm carapace length) by autumn of 2013, depending on rain and food availability. However, as of January 2013, only 0.55 inches (19 mm) of rain has fallen at TRACRS since 1 July 2012, and there are no seedlings emerging yet, so releases may be delayed until 2014.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA605879
Entities
People
- Kenneth A. Nagy
- Scott Hillard
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles