Photo: (c) evangrimes, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC-BY)
Turtle Species
Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
- Scientific nameGopherus polyphemus
- Japanese nameアナホリゴファーガメ
- FamilyTortoises (Testudinidae)
- Max carapace length28 cm
- Longest recorded lifespan60 years
- DietHerbivorous
- LifestyleTerrestrial
- Conservation status (IUCN)CR — Critically Endangered
- iNaturalist observations32,710
About this species
The gopher tortoise is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is native to the Southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species. G. polyphemus is threatened by predation and habitat destruction. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the gopher tortoise as "vulnerable", primarily because of habitat fragmentation and loss, and human exploitation; the animals are considered threatened in some states, while they are endangered in others.
Source: Wikipedia「Gopher tortoise」 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
