Many captive tortoises have infectious diseases, such as upper respiratory tract disease or herpes virus. In contrast, infectious diseases are less common in wild tortoises, especially those living in remote parts of the desert, distant from cities and towns. This tortoise from the Central Mojave Desert was fitted with a radio transmitter to track its movements and behavior. A blood sample was taken from the brachial plexus in the foreleg using sterile procedures and was tested for infectious diseases.
Photo by Mark Massar.