Overview

Tortoises can be observed on all major landmasses in the world except for Australia and Antarctica. The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is one of four species that lives only in North America. It has a large dark-brown to grayish shell, elephantine limbs, and a large grayish-black rounded head. Its shovel-like forefeet are used to excavate burrows that provide shelter. The Gopher Tortoise can reach lengths of more than 35cm and weigh over 10kg. There are physical differences between males and females. Female tortoises have a flattened bottom shell, or plastron, while males have a concave plastron and larger, more visible scent glands beneath the chin. The generic name of the Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus, is derived from the word gopher that was used to describe the burrowing habits of this species. The species name polyphemus refers to a cave-dwelling mythical creature. The Gopher Tortoise inhabits the southeastern United States throughout Florida, southern Georgia, southern South Carolina, Mississippi, southern Alabama and southeastern Louisiana. High numbers of Gopher Tortoises still remain in Florida, Georgia, and parts of Alabama; however, few individuals exist in South Carolina and Mississippi. The species has been driven nearly to extinction in Louisiana.

Habitat

Gopher Tortoises usually occupy pine-oak, beach scrub, oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, though they can also be found in disturbed habitats. They are dependent on well-drained deep sandy soils for burrowing and nesting. Nesting occurs mainly in May and June. Eggs are often deposited at the burrow entrance or nearby. A female lays one clutch containing up to 25 eggs each year. The Gopher Tortoise is considered to be a keystone species because it creates burrows that are used by many other species including small mammals, frogs, and other endangered species like the Eastern Indigo Snake. A Gopher Tortoise will dig several burrows throughout its lifetime and even use burrows that have been abandoned by other individuals. Tortoises are protected against unfavorable environmental conditions when they are in burrows because temperature and humidity remain relatively constant within them. Tortoises are most active during the warmest part of the day and can often be seen basking at the burrow entrance. Individuals have well-defined home ranges that can vary from less than 0.5ha to more than 3.0ha. Several burrows may be located within an individual’s home range. The Gopher Tortoise is primarily herbivorous and consumes grass and grass-like plants, broad-leaved plants, and fruit.

For more information, download the Gopher Tortoise Fact Sheet