Desert tortoises survive extreme heat by staying underground.

Desert tortoises in the Sonoran Desert cope with extreme temperatures by retreating into burrows during the hottest months of the year. These burrows provide cooler, more stable temperatures, offering the tortoises protection from the harsh heat of the desert. They are able to evade the noon sun and endure the extended hot spells because to this tendency, which is called estivation. In order to conserve energy and minimize water loss, the tortoises go into a condition of reduced activity during this period. When the weather cools, usually in the early morning or evening, they come out to feed and drink.