Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
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​Gopher Tortoise 

​Gopher Tortoise 

Picture
Common Name: Gopher Tortoise

Scientific Name: Gopherus polyphemus[1]

Physical Description: Gopher Tortoises are 10-16 inches on average and grow up to 30 pounds29. They are grey, brown, and black in color, and have scales on their limbs for protection. Their front legs are broad and flat, suited for digging their burrows, and their plastron (lower shell) is flat in females and concave in males.

Habitat: They live in dry, upland areas such as scrub, sand hills, coastal dunes, and pine flatwoods. 
​
Range: Southeast United States from South Carolina to Louisiana and down through Florida[2]

Diet: Grasses, legumes, and fruit

Life Span: 40-60 years[3] in wild and up to 100 years in human care

Social Structure: Like many reptiles, the tortoise provides no parental care to its offspring

Status: Vulnerable

Other: The Gopher Tortoise is a keystone species, or a species in which the local ecosystem relies on for services. The Gopher Tortoise digs long burrows which provide refuge to over 300 other species including insects, birds and snakes.


[1] https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/9403/12983629
[2] https://buffalozoo.org/animal/gopher-tortoise/
[3] https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/gopher-tortoise/

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​203-394-6565
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1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
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​Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.

2019 Kids Out and About #1
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Connecticut - Still Revolutionary
Weekly Best of Fairfield County Readers' Poll 2014
FC Buzz Events - Arts & Culture of Fairfield County
© 2022 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Press
  • Guest Info
    • Accessibility
    • Calendar
    • COVID Guidelines
    • For Kids >
      • Coloring Pages
      • Zoo Patrol
      • Zoo Tots
    • Our Animals >
      • Eastern Rat Snake
    • Our Plants
    • Parents
    • Zoo Cams >
      • Outdoor Red Panda Cam
      • Indoor Red Panda Cam
      • Outdoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Indoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Otter Cam
    • Zoo Etiquette
    • Zoo Map
  • Membership
  • Education
    • Citizen Science >
      • FrogWatch
      • MonarchWatch
    • Conservation >
      • City Nature Challenge
      • Conservation Pledge
    • Cool Blue >
      • Cool Blue Schools
    • Programs
    • Educational Resources
    • Evening Lectures
    • Field Trips
    • Just 4 Teens >
      • CDC
      • Explorers
    • Teachers
  • Support
    • Animal Sponsorship
    • Appeal
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Events
    • Gift Guide
    • Honor & Remember
    • Monthly Giving
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Wish List
  • Parties, Rentals & Weddings
    • Birthdays
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Rates and Details
    • Preferred Vendors
    • Preferred Wedding Vendors
    • Event Guidelines
  • Volunteer
    • Interns
  • En Espanol
  • Buy Tickets