Species Type:
Reptiles
Common Name(s):
Gopher tortoise
Size:
On average, the gopher tortoise grows to 10 inches (0.3 meters) in length.
Diet:
Gopher tortoises are herbivores, feeding on seeds, fruits, grasses and foliage around their burrows.
Range & Habitat:
Gopher tortoises can be found in sandy habitats with plenty of herbaceous plants from South Carolina to southern Florida. They're most commonly found in pine flatwoods, coastal dunes, dry prairies and longleaf pine sandhills.
Details:
This terrestrial turtle has stumpy hind feet and flat, shovel-like forelimbs. Gopher tortoises can range in color from tan and brown to gray. Male gopher turtles have a dip on the lower backs of their shells while females have a flattened shell.
