Survival of Desert Tortoises at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, 1989-1995

James L. Boone
SAIC, 1261 Town Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134

Kurt R. Rautenstrauch
SAIC, 1261 Town Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134

ABSTRACT

Of 276 radiomarked tortoises, 52 died. Of those that died, 17 likely died as the result of predation by large mammals or birds, 31 died from causes other than predation, and 4 died of unknown causes. Most of the animals that died were hatchlings or juveniles, and only three adults died.

Survival rates were low for hatchlings and juveniles (approximately 50% survival per year), moderate for immature and subadults (approximately 85%), and high for adults (approximately 99%) during this study.

Sorry, even though I wrote this report, the U.S. Department of Energy says that I can not post the abstract to the web. However, you may contact the Yucca Mountain Project and demand a copy of the entire report by reference to the Freedom of Information Act (don't tell them I sent you).