A Gopher Tortoise in my Email...

Below are a couple of pictures emailed to me today by Lisa, a wildlife enthusiast and fellow Floridian. She took them this morning on her farm in central Florida.

I guess her horse had invited a neighbor over for breakfast..?






-Thanks Lisa, great shots!



Description:
The gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, is a large terrestrial turtle having forefeet well adapted for burrowing, and elephantine hind feet. The front legs have scales to protect the tortoise while burrowing. Body length averages approximately 25 cm (10 inches), with the shell ranging in height from 15 – 37 cm (6 – 15 inches). Body mass averages approximately 4 kg (9 pounds). Color is a dark brown to gray-black, with a yellow plastron (bottom shell). A gular projection is evident on the anterior...

You can find additional gopher tortoise info on the August 10th post - The Threatened Gopher Tortoise