Gopher Tortoise Gopherus Polyphemus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae Genus: Gopherus Species: Polyphemus

Description

They are either a dark tan, or gray. Their front legs are broad and flat, almost like a shovel. Their back legs look just like an elephant's legs. The top part of their shell is fairly flat, The adult gopher tortoise is a rather drab looking animal, which is in stark contrast for the brightly colored hatchlings.

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Average Statistics

Diet

Gopher tortoises usually eat low-growing plants found in bright sunshine, primarily grasses such as wiregrass. Some tortoises have been known to eat gopher apples, blackberries and other fruits. Gopher tortoises will also scavenge and are opportunistic feeders, occasionally feeding on dead animals or excrement.

Offspring

The female lays between three and 15 eggs, either in a sandy mound in front of her burrow or a nearby sunny place. The eggs mature and hatch from 70 to 100 days later.

Relationship with Humans

Endangered due to habitat loss.

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