Check online for the average adult male or female length for your species, then measure your tortoise for … Tortoises have a somewhat similar average lifespan to humans, meaning they also tend to reach their maximum size (in length, not necessarily weight) at around 15-20 years of age. Lifespan: 80-150 years: 20-40 years: ... Gopher tortoise is an animal that can get stressed very soon if tried to moved. Burrows can be up to 40 feet (12 meters) in length and 10 feet (3 meters) in depth. Image Source. www.fws.gov/northflorida/GopherTortoise/Gopher_Tortoise_Fact_Sheet.html Each burrow has a single opening and the width of the burrow is approximately equal to the length of the tortoise. In the wild gopher tortoises can live 40 to 60 years, and may live over 90 in captivity. It inhabits a variety of forest and other habitats and is considered a keystone species of the longleaf pine forests of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Gopherus is a genus of fossorial tortoises commonly referred to as gopher tortoises.The gopher tortoise is grouped with land tortoises that originated 60 million years ago, in North America. urrows average about 6 or 7 feet deep and about 15 feet long, but there are plenty that might exceed these measurements. Gopher tortoises have some level of protection in the states they are found. The gopher tortoise is the only land tortoise native to the southeastern United States. Description: The Gopher Tortoise is the only tortoise in the Southeast and can easily be distinguished from the box turtle (our only other fully terrestrial turtle) by its large size, rigid, unhinged plastron (bottom of shell) and its stumpy, unwebbed feet.Adult Gopher Tortoises are large 9-15 in (24 - 38 cm) and are tan or brown above with a yellowish plastron. Juvenile Gopher Tortoise; Adult Gopher Tortoise; Reasons Why Gopher Tortoises are Cool! The life of a gopher tortoise revolves around a tunnel-like burrow that is excavated using its shovel-like front feet. A genetic study has shown that their closest relatives are in the Asian genus Manouria. An average wild Gopher Tortoise's life span ranges from 40 - 60 years. Life Cycle Stage 1: Eggs. So, if you find a tortoise in your yard hole or near the road of your house, its important to report them and do not take the action yourself. They don’t stay near them to protect them. They have been noted to live for over 100 years in captivity. It provides mild temperatures and humidity all year. The females bury their eggs. Gopher Tortoise Burrow. Male Gopher Tortoises have concave shells that range from grey-black to dark brown in color, with a plastron (yellow bottom). They are one of five North American tortoise species and the only one found east of the Mississippi River. 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