From the album: Songs of Joshua Tree
A 'tortoise trot' are the notches put in the cement curbs along the roads inside Joshua Tree National Park to allow the tortoise the ability to cross.
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Lyrics:
TORTOISE TROT
Now they may move slow, but there’s places they need to go
So for the desert tortoise they modified the road
So as not to disturb, they put notches in the curb
Now they can mosey hither, to, and fro

And take a tortoise trot, and likely as not
You’ll never see them crossing, I’ll guarantee
The tortoise he is wise, so in safe evening skies
He takes the tortoise trots of good ole Joshua Tree

The desert tortoise it appears, can live a hundred years
So give our threatened friends respect that they deserve
One more little hurdle, please don’t call them turtles
Turtles swim while a tortoise walks this reserve

And check under your car for tortoise won’t you please