Gopher Tortoise

Description:

The gopher tortoise is a fairly large terrestrial turtle which possesses forefeet well adapted for burrowing, and elephantine hind feet. These features are common to most tortoises. The front legs have scales to protect the tortoise while burrowing. They are dark brown to gray-black in overall color, with a yellow plastron (bottom shell). A gular projection is evident on the anterior plastron where the head projects out from the shell. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with male gopher tortoises having concave plastrons, while those of females are flat. In addition, the gular projection on male plastrons is generally longer than in females.

Habitat:

longleaf pine ecosystem, which is provides suitable well-drained and sandy soils for tortoises to inhabit.

Notes:

Conservation status:Vulnerable. They are threatened by predation and habitat destruction.The gopher tortoise is a representative of the genus Gopherus, which contains the only tortoises native to the southeastern North America.The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for 360 other animal species.