Gopher Tortoises in Louisiana
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Reptile: Gopherus polyphemus
Besides the Common Box Turtle, another land turtle, the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), inhabits our area in Southeastern Louisiana. These reptiles are uncommon and are on the federally protected list in Louisiana, Mississippi and western Alabama. It is a species of conservation concern throughout its range.
The tunnels that the tortoises dig are very important to the ecosystem in which they live. Countless numbers of other species of animals take shelter in the tunnels during times of crisis.
Gopher tortoise photo is public domain
Contents at a Glance
Identification of Gopher Tortoise
Gopher Tortoise picture is public domain.
The Gopher Tortoise is a medium sized land turtle with an unmarked, smooth dark brown to grayish brown shell. Its rear limbs have an elephantine appearance and the front feet have wide, flattened nails. Both sexes have 2 wart-like glands on the underside of the chin.
Gopher Tortoise Poll
Tortoise Habits and Habitat
In Louisiana, Gopher Tortoises are only found in the southeastern portion of the state, in the Florida Parishes. They tend to prefer areas with deep sandy soil, where it is easier to dig their burrows, but are sometimes found in areas with clay soil. Traditionally they occupied the savannas of the Long-leaf Pine forests that once spread across the southeastern part of the state. Now they are found in open areas such as right of ways, field edges and fencerows.
Gopher Tortoises are the only southeastern turtle that digs its own burrows. Even hatchling tortoises are capable of digging their own burrow shortly after the leave the nest. The burrows are quite long, averages 15 feet and angling down 6 feet below the surface. The width of the burrow is about the same dimensions as the length of the tortoise because the tortoise has to be able to turn around in it.
Most of the Gopher Tortoise's life is spent underground in its burrow, though it will visit other turtles in their burrows. They are most active from May through September and during warm weather at other times of the year.
Diet
These tortoises are mostly vegetarian, although they have been observed, on occasion, feeding of carrion, feces and old bones.
Turtles of the Southeast
This is a well written and illustrated book that all turtle lovers should add to their library.
Turtles of the Southeast ( Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book)
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Reproduction and Predators
Gopher Tortoise On The Lookout by wildlifezoo
Gopher Tortoises have only one nest each year. Courtship occurs in the fall. Females lay a clutch of 3-9 ping pong shaped eggs in a nest usually just outside or in the opening of the her tunnel in May to early July. They hatch in late August to early October.
Predators
There are many predators of the eggs, hatchlings and small juveniles including racoons, opposums, foxes and skunks. Large snakes including coachwhips and indigo snakes can take the young while their shells are still soft. Fire ants are also a problem for eggs and young.
Coyotes, bobcats, feral dogs and large raccoons sometimes prey upon adult tortoises.
The Gopher Tortoise - A Life Series
The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History (Life History Series)
Amazon Price: $13.03 (as of 05/31/2012)
Conservation Issues of Gopher Tortoises
Gopher Tortoise populations are on the decline and some individual populations are close to extinction.
In the past, many tortoises were killed for consumption. Additionally, their burrows were gassed to collect Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes that dwell in the borrows during winter and early spring. These influence have negatively impacted the repopulation of this long lived, but low reproducing species.
Gopher Turtles have also suffered from a respiratory disease.
As with the other land turtles in Louisiana, habitat destruction and fragmentation have reduced many populations.
For this species to make a comeback they must be protected and remaining habitats and individual populations must be intensively managed.
Buhlmann, Tuberville and Gibbons, Turtles of Southeastern Louisiana, U. of GA Press, 2008.
Best of Expeditions - Gopher Tortoise
Gopher Tortoise - Endangered and Threatened Animals
The Gopher Tortoise: A Myreportlinks.com Book (Endangered and Threatened Animals)
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 06/01/2012)
Other Turtles and Tortoises of Louisiana
Gopher Tortoise Tunnel Video
David Attenborough
Gopher Tortoises on Amazon
A Rare Gopher Tortoise Curls up in Its Shell in a Forest, Southern Georgia Photographic Poster Print by Taylor S. Kennedy, 40x30
Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, more...0 points
Gopher Tortoise Hatching Mousepad Turtle Art Print Mouse Pad
The polyester fabric top makes very durable pure v more...0 points
The Natural History and Management of the Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus (Daudin) by Ray E. Ashton, Patricia S. Ashton
This is the first handbook on tortoise management more...0 points
![Declines of the gopher tortoise on protected lands [An article from: Biological Conservation] by E.D. McCoy, H.R. Mushinsky, J. Lindzey](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P1T5EY1VL._SL75_.jpg)
Declines of the gopher tortoise on protected lands [An article from: Biological Conservation] by E.D. McCoy, H.R. Mushinsky, J. Lindzey
This digital document is a journal article from Biological more...0 points
Don't burrow in without leaving a comment.
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OhMe Sep 13, 2009 @ 5:36 pm | delete
- Oh me! I would love to meet up with a Gopher Tortoise. This is so interesting and educational. Thank you!
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naturegirl7 Sep 13, 2009 @ 4:45 pm | delete
- I never realized how important Gopher Tortoises were to the ecosystem. We must protect them.
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