Gopher Tortoise Traditional Cache
FIREWALKER438: making room for cp7
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The gopher tortoises can be found throughout the state of
Florida
and southern areas of Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi,
Alabama
and the tip of Eastern Louisiana. They dig their burrows in
dry
habitats. The gopher tortoise grows on average to be about
slightly
less than one foot long and weighs about 29 pounds, though
they
have been found to be as big as 16 inches.
The gopher tortoise is unique in that it is one of the few
tortoises to actually make large burrows. Many tortoises hide
under
vegetations or use very shallow burrows.
The gopher tortoise is a turtle as all tortoises are turtles,
but
not all turtles are tortoises. Ray Ashton states in his
literature
for the GTCI, think of them as a cow with a shell. They graze
on
vegetation just like cows, and therefore, are important players
in
spreading seeds. Gopher tortoises also have chiseled looking
front
feet (flippers) and elephant like hind legs.
The gopher tortoise is a rather plain looking turtle as far
as
colors go. 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.
The gopher tortoise reaches sexual maturity between 12 and 15
years
of age, when their shells are about 9 inches long.
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