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The 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.
Jun 30, 2022 · What is a gopher tortoise? The gopher tortoise is about as charming as a tortoise can get. Originating 60 million years ago, it’s one of the oldest living species on the planet and the only native North American tortoise species east of the Mississippi River.
The 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 southern South Carolina, and south to Florida.
Find out what to do if you see a gopher tortoise. Gopher 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.
Dec 13, 2022 · Overview. The 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.
What is the gopher tortoise? The 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...
Gopher tortoises have stumpy elephant-like back legs which are not webbed. Their front feet are shaped like shovels for digging burrows. Gopher tortoises also have a special bony plate on the front of their shells directly behind the head. This plate is called a nuchal scute.
