Gopher tortoise - Wikipedia
WEBThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species.
Gopher Tortoise Facts and Conservation - The Nature Conservancy
WEBJun 30, 2022 · Facts About Gopher Tortoises. Scientific name: Gopherus polyphemus. Conservation status: Threatened to Endangered. Size: 9 to 11 inches as adults (23-28 cm), 10 pounds (4.5 kg) Lifespan: 40-60 years in the wild, 90 in …
Gopher Tortoise | FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
WEBThe gopher tortoise is one of five North American tortoise species and is the only tortoise naturally found east of the Mississippi River. Its range includes the southeastern Coastal Plain from southeastern Louisiana east to …
Gopher Tortoise | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - U.S. Fish and …
WEBThe gopher tortoise is a large burrowing tortoise that occurs in upland pine forests of the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is one of five tortoise species native to North America and the only tortoise species east of the Mississippi River.
How to Identify a Gopher Tortoise | FWC - Florida Fish and …
WEBFlorida’s native and nonnative turtle species are commonly misidentified as gopher tortoises. You can tell these other species apart from gopher tortoises by looking for the characteristics listed here in our guide.
Gopher Tortoise Program | FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife …
WEBGopher tortoises are long-lived reptiles that occupy upland habitat throughout Florida including forests, pastures, and yards. They dig deep burrows for shelter and forage on low-growing plants. Gopher tortoises share their burrows with more than 350 other species, and are therefore referred to as a keystone species.
Gopher Tortoise - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio
WEBThe Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is one of a group of North American land tortoises that originated 60 million years ago, and is, therefore, one of the oldest species alive today. They are named for their ability to dig big, deep burrows.
Gopher tortoise, facts and photos - National Geographic
WEBThe gopher tortoise earned its name because it digs deep burrows —like a gopher. This large tortoise, which can weigh up to 15 pounds, has scaly, shovel-like front legs that are specialized...
Gopher Tortoise - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WEBThe gopher tortoise is a large, (shell 15 to 37 centimeters or 5.9 to 14.6 inches long) dark-brown to grayish-black terrestrial turtle with elephantine hind feet, shovel-like forefeet, and a gular projection beneath the head on the yellowish, hingeless plastron or undershell (Ernst and Barbour 1972).
One burrow at a time: saving the gopher tortoise
WEBA gopher tortoise’s burrow provides habitat for nearly 350 different animals. This is what makes them an ecosystem engineer. In dry and sandy soils found under dry oak and longleaf pine trees, a gopher tortoise will dig several burrows throughout its lifetime.