A Super Bloom is an unpredictable event that happens in the desert after a rain, when sleeping seeds come to life. A rain has just arrived and this Mojave Desert Tortoise is awakened from slumber by the sound of fresh droplets hitting the packed, dry sand that surrounds his burrow. The world smells efflorescent as the dust settles around stirring seeds. It won’t be but a few days before the dormant seeds form sprouts that will grow into budding plantsand blooming flowers. The dry desert may be tough but our herbivorous Desert Tortoise is tougher. Because of his unique, water absorbing bladder he can go a year without a drink of water, storing moisture from his last drink of water and his plant meals. This rain means he will be able to re-up his water consumption. The rain brings with it a small drop in temperature though he does not necessarily need it. His giant domed shell hides his large, strong lungs which help him in regulating his temperature in the extreme heat. The rain is a boon for all the desert dwellers and pollinators. The Western Queen Butterfly will come out to play and lay eggs on its very important host plant, the Mojave Milkweed. The Queen’s efforts will ensure there are future fertile seeds for the next rain.
The prismatic Super Bloom that will come from this life giving rain will feed this precious ecosystem for many months. In the Mojave the connection between water and life is very clear. Our tough Desert Tortoise takes in all the new growth with wide eyes and a belly full of hope.
