The upper shell ranges in length from 15 to 36 centimeters, and its colorvaries from dull brown to a dull yellow.
Males are typically larger than females.
An adult male desert tortiose averages around 20 kilograms in weight, and an adult female averages 13 kilograms. The head of a desert tortoise is scaly, and the body has thick skin. The desert tortoise is primarily herbivorous, surviving on low-growing plants and freshly fallen leaves. The desert tortoise usually eats twice a day. Reproduction During breeding, the male desert tortoise hisses and butts the female in the flank.