Gopher Tortoise
Scientific Name
Gopherus polyphemus
Range
Southeastern United States
Habitats
Sandhills, scrublands, and coastal dunes
What do they eat?
Herbivore; grass and many other plants
Status
IUCN lists as Vulnerable, Florida lists as threatened
Conservation Threats
Primarily habitat destruction from land developing, habitat fragmentation from roads can cause road mortality
Fun Facts
- Keystone species in Florida- their burrows on average are 15 feet long and 6 feet deep, giving homes and shelter to more than 350 other species!