Desert tortoises dig tunnels to beat the heat
Desert tortoises escape extreme heat by digging deep burrows, creating cool, stable microclimates that are essential for their survival and even shelter other desert creatures.
Desert tortoises survive scorching desert heat by burrowing underground. These reptiles, found in the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico, dig extensive tunnels up to 30 feet long and 10 feet deep. Inside, temperatures stay a comfortable 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, far cooler than the 100+ degree surface.
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