Gopher tortoise : Gopherus polyphemus


Kingdom : Animalia
   Phylum : Chordata
          Class : Reptilia
               Order : Testudines
                    Family : Testudinidae
                         Genus : Gopherus
                              Species : polyphemus

Description:

This is a large, burrowing tortoise with the upper shell brown or tan in color.
Gopher tortoises and their burrow, Photo by David Byres The under shell is unhinged, dull yellowish in color, with the soft parts being grayish brown.

The upper shell can range in length from 107 mm to 240 mm.

The feet of this tortoise are stumpy and without webs, and their heads are large and blunt.




NEXT PAGE