Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Tortoise Family (Testudinidae)
The long-lived gopher tortoise is a tan, dark brown, or grayish-black, relatively large terrestrial turtle, usually reaching at least a foot long. The upper shell (carapace) is domed and flattened on top. The lower shell (plastron) is yellow to marbled with black or gray and unhinged, unlike the box turtle; thus it cannot close its shell. Its front legs are shovel-like, broad, and flattened, while the hind limbs are short and elephantine. Hatchlings and young juveniles are yellowish to yellowish-orange and relatively soft-shelled. It excavates deep burrows with a half moon top and produce a sandy apron from the displaced soil. Found in the coastal plain from Louisiana to South Carolina. It occurs in sandhills, scrub, xeric hammock, pine flatwoods, and dry prairie. It prefers habitats with well-drained sands, fairly open canopies, open ground, and ample herbaceous vegetation. It spends most of its time below ground in its burrow . They eat a varied diet, mostly consisting of vegetation. It breeds from May through July. Listed as threatened FL, GA, and LA; endangered in MS, SC; and a protected species in AL. It is federally listed west of Mobile & Tombigbee rivers in AL, MS, and LA.

Copyright Brett Miley