Has anyone in southern California encountered Desert Tortoises west (south) of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains?
Is there any hisorical accounts of this species in the LA Basin or coastal ranges?
I understand a lot of people have captured these animals in the deserts and then released them outside thier natural range. I spent twenty years herping a canyon in the San Gabriel Foothills in NE LA County. During this time I captured two Desert Tortoises. One adult was caught crossing the road going into the canyon. I also captured a baby Desert Tortoise while hiking 5 miles back deep in the canyon. The habitat is suitable but widely scattered from canyon to canyon across the foothills. Just want to know if anyone else in the area has come across this species.
