Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus Polyphemus
Trail Tidbits
Georgia's official State Reptile
Gopher tortoises naturally live in the coastal plain region of Georgia- the area south of the Fall Line.
They prefer the soft, sandy soils for digging burrows 15 feet long and a sloping depth of up to 6 feet. Many other animals including toads, snakes, and mammals use the burrows for shelter.
5-7 ping-pong ball size eggs are laid between April and July. Hatchlings emerge around August - October. It takes up to 20 years for them to reach adulthood.
Gopher tortoises eat grasses, succulent plants and fruits in the wild. Ours also enjoy fresh corn on the cob, strawberries, and watermelon.