Shared from Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast:
The United States is home to only three types of tortoise, each limited to a relatively small area. Two desert-dwellers live in the Southwest, and one lives in the Southeast – the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Living an average of 40-60 years in the wild, gopher tortoises are found in places with deep, well-drained, sandy soils, where they dig extensive burrows for shelter. There are over 350 other species that also take refuge in their burrows, making them an important “keystone species.” As adults, gopher tortoises are mostly brown, tan, or gray with a yellowish underside. On younger gopher tortoises, the scute (the shapes covering the shell) are bright yellow with brown edges.
In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as a threatened species meaning both the tortoise and its burrow are protected by state law. If you see a gopher tortoise in the wild – like the one above spotted at Jelks Preserve – be sure not to touch or disturb them. Instead, just enjoy the presence of this notable native!
Learn more about gopher tortoises from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission here.
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