The gopher tortoise excavates deep burrows (average 6' deep and 15' long) that many other animals depend upon for shelter from summer heat and winter cold. Some of these burrow-guests (called
commensals), including gopher frogs, Florida mice and
several species of insects, are virtually dependent upon
gopher tortoise burrows. Others, like indigo snakes,
diamondback rattlesnakes and bobwhite quail use tortoise
burrows occasionally. Gophers tortoises are vegetarians,
dining on grasses, legumes and fruits. They live over 50
years and don't reach sexual maturity until 10-20 years
of age. Females lay 3-12 eggs annually, but few of the
little hatchlings survive the intense predation from
dogs, raccoons, armadillos, foxes, snakes and hawks.
Habitat loss and years of over-harvesting for human
consumption have reduced gopher populations to a fraction
of former levels. Possession of Florida gopher tortoises is now strictly prohibited.
The gopher tortoise excavates deep burrows (average 6' deep and 15' long) that many other animals depend upon for shelter from summer heat and winter cold. Some of these burrow-guests (called
commensals), including gopher frogs, Florida mice and
several species of insects, are virtually dependent upon
gopher tortoise burrows. Others, like indigo snakes,
diamondback rattlesnakes and bobwhite quail use tortoise
burrows occasionally. Gophers tortoises are vegetarians,
dining on grasses, legumes and fruits. They live over 50
years and don't reach sexual maturity until 10-20 years
of age. Females lay 3-12 eggs annually, but few of the
little hatchlings survive the intense predation from
dogs, raccoons, armadillos, foxes, snakes and hawks.
Habitat loss and years of over-harvesting for human
consumption have reduced gopher populations to a fraction
of former levels. Possession of Florida gopher tortoises is now strictly prohibited. 
