Egg Production by the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in California

Egg production by desert tortoises was estimated at two sites in San Bernardino, California: Ivanpah Valley in 1980 and 1981 and Goffs in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Mean clutch frequencies were estimated for 1980 (1.60) and 1981 (1.10) from mass changes observed among sexually mature females weighed every 1-2 wk. Mean clutch frequencies in 1983 (1.89), 1984 (1.57) and 1985 (1.75) were estimated from periodic X-rays of females. Clutch sizes were also determined from radiographs. Tortoises at Goffs typically laid 1-2 clutches during May and June, but one female failed to lay eggs in 1984 and single tortoises laid three clutches in 1983 and 1985. If tortoises laid two clutches, the second was faintly visible in X-rays within 9-10 days after the first was laid. Eggs were laid about 22 days after they were visible in X-rays. Goffs data showed that tortoises