Gopher Tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

Gopher tortoises live in colonies of about a dozen individuals. Burrows can be up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. These burrows provide shelter from temperatures changes, fires, and predators. They also provide year-round shelter for more than 60 other animal species including snakes, frogs, toads, quail, and many other vertebrates. They are considered a keystone species, as the survival of other species that are symbiotically tied are dependent on the conservation of this species.

Fun Facts:

Gopher tortoises earned their name due to their ability to dig large, deep burrows
Their burrows are used by over 300 other species throughout the ecosystem making them a keystone species with a pivotal role to play
Of 5 North American tortoise species, the gopher tortoise is the only one that occurs east of the Mississippi River

Conservation Threat:

Threatened

Natural Habitat

Well-drained sandy soils, scrub, dry hammock, pine flatwoods, coastal dunes

Range

Southeastern U.S.

Size

Weight: 8-15 lbs

Length: up to 15 in

Lifespan

40-60 years in the wild, about 80 years in managed care

Gestation

Females lay 4-9 eggs that hatch after 80-90 days

Diet Details

Low growing plants, legumes, grasses, fruits, and berries

ZooTampa at Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in conservation, education, recreation and research. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is featured among the “Top 25 Zoos in the U.S” by TripAdvisor.

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