Gopher Tortoise

Name: Gopher Tortoise

Scientific Name: Gopherus polyphemus

Endangered Status: Threatened

Info: Found on the beaches and in the maritime forest the Gopher tortoise is a protected species that calls Amelia Island home.  It is a keystone species which mean sit provides shelter multiple different animals in its burrow it digs.  There are over 360 recorded species that have been found in the burrow often being as deep as 40 feet.   Each burrow has multiple entrances which allows various species to inhabit the burrow at the same time.  They live to be 40-60 years old and are often measurement 20-30 cm.

Sightings: Near Omni Pool, Ocean Links