What is the gopher turtle?

Gopher Tortoise comes from the southeastern United States. It grows on about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long and is largely a herbivore. Gopher turtles are unique because of the large norms they create that provide shelter, not only for themselves, but also for many other creatures. Its front legs are wide and flat for digging, while its hind legs are strong and columnar. Hatchling turtles are usually 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) and grow about 3/4 inches (2 centimeters) per year. Gopher turtles live over the age of over 100 years. Their environment consists of shrubbery, pine flat trees and beach duns. Suitable habitats must consist of sandy soil for digging burrows, sunny areas and lots of small plants for food. It also eats apples, blackberries and other fruits. Although mainly herbivores, it is known that these turtles will calm dead animals or excrements. Most of their water come from their meals and are seen only by drinking water in times of drought.

The unusual name for this animal comes from the fact that it creates and lives in large underground burrows, similar to Gophers. This is an unusual feature for turtles because most live above the ground and hides in the undergrowth or brushes. Burrows protects the gopher turtle from both predators and elements. They differ in size and can be anywhere from 6 feet (1.8 meters) to 50 feet (15 meters), diameter 30 feet (9 meters). They are usually between 3 and 20 feet (0.9 to 6 meters) deep.

Burrows that generate these animals are important for ecosystems in which the gopher thrives. Sometimes these creatures will be the coexistence of the turtle. Other times they will stay there after leaving the lair.

In Florida, the gopher turtle is listed as an endangered species. Many turtles were taken from their habitat to become pets and remove them from the breeding pool. Today it is the greatest threat to the gopher destruction turtle.