You are here » home › advanced search › Gopherus polyphemus

Gopherus polyphemus (DAUDIN, 1801)

IUCN Red List - Gopherus polyphemus - Vulnerable, VU
iNaturalist logo

Can you confirm these amateur observations of Gopherus polyphemus?

Add your own observation of
Gopherus polyphemus »

Find more photos by Google images search: Google images

Higher TaxaTestudinidae, Testudinoidea, Testudines (turtles)
Subspecies 
Common NamesE: (Florida) Gopher Tortoise
G: Florida Gopherschildkröte 
SynonymTestudo polyphemus DAUDIN 1801: 256
Testudo depressa GUÉRIN-MÉNEVILLE 1829
Testudo Polyphemus — DUMÉRIL & BIBRON 1835: 104
Testudo gopher GRAY 1844
Testudo Polyphemus — DUMÉRIL & BIBRON 1854: 220
Gopherus polyphemus — STEJNEGER 1893
Gopherus polyphemus polyphemus, MERTENS & WERMUTH 1955
Gopherus polyphemus— AUFFENBERG & FRANZ 1978
Gopherus polyphemus — ERNST & BARBOUR 1989: 272
Gopherus polyphemus — CONANT & COLLINS 1991: 74
Gopherus polyphemus — CROTHER 2000
Gopherus polyphemus — MCCORD & JOSEPH-OUNI 2004
Gopherus polyphemus — TTWG 2014
Gopherus polyphemus — TTWG 2021 
DistributionUSA (along the Atlantic Coastal Plain in S South Carolina, Georgia, S Alabama, Florida, E Louisiana, Mississippi)

Type locality: vicinity of Savannah, Georgia (restricted by K.P. SCHMIDT 1953)  
Reproductionoviparous. Exhibits temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) fide Cornejo-Páramo et al. 2020 (and references therein). 
TypesSyntypes: unlocated (Iverson 1992: 261) 
DiagnosisAdditional details, e.g. a detailed description or comparisons (6116 characters), are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. 
CommentGopherus agassizii and G. berlandieri have been considered as subspecies of G. polyphemus previously.

Distribution: See map in Winchell (2006).

Type species: Testudo polyphemus DAUDIN 1802: 256 is the type species of the genus Gopherus RAFINESQUE 1832: 64.

Karyotype (genus): The diploid chromosome number is 52 (26 macrochromosomes, 26 microchromosomes): 20 metacentric and submetacentric, 10 subtelocentric, 22 acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes (Stock, 1972; Killebrew and McKown, 1978; Dowler and Bickham, 1982). 
EtymologyNamed after Greek polyphemus, a cave-dwelling giant in Greek mythology.

The genus was apparently named after French “gaufre” for a small burrowing animal. 
References
  • Alford, R.A. 1980. Population Structure of Gopherus polyphemus in Northern Florida Journal of Herpetology 14 (2): 177-182. - get paper here
  • Allen, E. Ross; Neill, Wilfred T. 1953. Juveniles of the tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus. Copeia 1953 (2): 128 - get paper here
  • Allen, Morrow J. 1932. A survey of the Amphibians and reptiles of Harrison County, Mississippi. American Museum Novitates (542): 1-20 - get paper here
  • Aresco, M.J. & C. Guyer 1998. Efficacy of Using Scute Annuli to Determine Growth Histories and Age of Gopherus polyphemus in Southern Alabama Copeia 1998 (4): 1094-1100. - get paper here
  • Aresco, M.J. & C. Guyer 1999. Growth of the Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus in Slash Pine Plantations of Southcentral Alabama Herpetologica 55 (4): 499-506. - get paper here
  • Ashton Ray E. & Patrica Ashton 2008. THE NATURAL HISTORY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS DAUDIN). Krieger Publishing Company, 288 pp.
  • Ashton, K.G., B.M. Engelhardt & B.S. Branciforte 2008. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Abundance and Distribution after Prescribed Fire Reintroduction to Florida Scrub and Sandhill at Archbold Biological Station Journal of Herpetology 42 (3): 523-529. - get paper here
  • Ashton, R.E., Jr., and Ashton, P.S. 2008. Natural History and Management of the Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus. Krieger Publishing Company, 275 pp.
  • Ashton, Ray E, Jr., and Amanda Ebenhack. 2008. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise). Record Size. Herpetological Review 39 (2):214 - get paper here
  • Auffenberg W; Franz R 1978. Gopherus polyphemus (Daudin). Gopher totoise. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles ( 215: 1-2 - get paper here
  • Auffenberg, W. 1966. On the courtship of Gopherus polyphemus Herpetologica 22 (2): 113-117. - get paper here
  • Auffenberg, W., & Franz, R. 1978. Gopherus Rafinesque: gopher tortoises. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (211): 1-2 [species accounts in nos. 212-215] - get paper here
  • Auffenberg, Walter 1977. Display Behavior in Tortoises. American Zoologist 17: 241-250 - get paper here
  • BAKLEY, TORI D. & BETSIE B. ROTHERMEL. 2021. GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). PLASTIC INGESTION. Herpetological Review 52 (3): 630–631. - get paper here
  • Bjorndal, K.A. 1987. Digestive Efficiency in a Temperate Herbivorous Reptile, Gopherus polyphemus Copeia 1987 (3): 714-720. - get paper here
  • Bogert, Charles M. (Charles Mitchill); Cowles, Raymond B. (Raymond Bridgman) 1947. Moisture loss in relation to habitat selection in some Floridian reptiles. American Museum novitates (1358) - get paper here
  • Boglioli, M.D., C. Guyer & W.K. Michener 2003. Mating opportunities of female Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus, in relation to spatial isolation of females and their burrows Copeia 2003 (4): 846-850. - get paper here
  • Bohlman, B; Barron, H; Albright, S & Rogers, K; 2019. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Size. Herpetological Review 50 (2): 352-353 - get paper here
  • Böhme, W. 2005. Der “Savannah River Ecology Site” und seine herpetologischen Highlights. Herpetofauna 25 (142): 13-21 - get paper here
  • Bonin, F., Devaux, B. & Dupré, A. 2006. Turtles of the World. English translation by P.C.H. Pritchard. Johns Hopkins University Press, 416 pp.
  • Breininger, D.R., P.A. Schmalzer & C.R. Hinkle 1991. Estimating Occupancy of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrows in Coastal Scrub and Slash Pine Flatwoods Journal of Herpetology 25 (3): 317-321. - get paper here
  • Breininger, D.R., P.A. Schmalzer & C.R. Hinkle 1994. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Densities in Coastal Scrub and Slash Pine Flatwoods in Florida Journal of Herpetology 28 (1): 60-65. - get paper here
  • Brode, W.E. 1959. Notes on Behavior of Gopherus polyphemus Herpetologica 15 (2): 101-102. - get paper here
  • Butler, J.A. & S. Sowell 1996. Survivorship and Predation of Hatchling and Yearling Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus Journal of Herpetology 30 (3): 455-458. - get paper here
  • Butler, J.A. & T.W. Hull 1996. Reproduction of the Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, in Northeastern Florida Journal of Herpetology 30 (1): 14-18. - get paper here
  • Camper, Jeffrey D. 2019. The Reptiles of South Carolina. University of South Carolina Press, 288 pp. [review in Copeia 107 (3): 590, 2019] - get paper here
  • CARROLL, JAMES M. 2021. GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). BURROW VARIANT. Herpetological Review 52 (3): 630. - get paper here
  • Castellón, Traci D.; Betsie B. Rothermel, and Javan M. Bauder 2018. Gopher Tortoise Burrow Use, Home Range, Seasonality, and Habitat Fidelity in Scrub and Mesic Flatwoods of Southern Florida. Herpetologica 74 (1): 8-21. - get paper here
  • Castellón, Traci D.; Betsie B. Rothermel, and Saif Z. Nomani 2012. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrow Densities in Scrub and Flatwoods Habitats of Peninsular Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Dec 2012, Vol. 11, No. 2: 153-161. - get paper here
  • Castellón, Traci D.; Betsie B. Rothermel, Jennifer L. Beck, Jessica L. Fort & Kelly M. O'Connor 2022. Divergent Size-Class Distributions of Gopher Tortoise Burrows in Scrub and Flatwoods Habitats of Peninsular Florida Chelonian Conservation and Biology 21(1): 112–121. - get paper here
  • Catano, Christopher P.; James J. Angelo, and I. Jack Stout 2014. Sample Grain Influences the Functional Relationship Between Canopy Cover and Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrow Abandonment. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Dec 2014, Vol. 13, No. 2: 166-172. - get paper here
  • Cherry, Michael J., Paige Howell, Robert J. Warren and Mike Conner. 2015. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) coyotes denning in gopher tortois burrow. Herpetological Review 46 (4): 618 - get paper here
  • Conant,R. & Collins,J.T. 1991. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America, 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin (Boston/New York), xx + 450 p.
  • Cornejo-Páramo, P., Lira-Noriega, A., Ramírez-Suástegui, C. et al. 2020. Sex determination systems in reptiles are related to ambient temperature but not to the level of climatic fluctuation. BMC Evol Biol 20: 103 - get paper here
  • Crother, B. I. (ed.) 2012. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians, Seventh Edition. Herpetological Circular 39: 1-92
  • Daudin, F. M. 1801. Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière des Reptiles; ouvrage faisant suit à l'Histoire naturell générale et particulière, composée par Leclerc de Buffon; et rédigee par C.S. Sonnini, membre de plusieurs sociétés savantes. Vol. 2. F. Dufart, Paris, 432 pp. [publication date fide Harper 1940] - get paper here
  • DeGregorio, Brett A., Kurt A. Buhlmann, Andrew M. Grosse, Bess B. Harris, Robert V. Horan, III, Tracey D. Tuberville and Brett M. Moule. 2011. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) burrow associate. Herpetological Review 42 (3): 421 - get paper here
  • DeGregorio, Brett A.; Kurt A. Buhlmann, and Tracey D. Tuberville 2012. Overwintering of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) Translocated to the Northern Limit of Their Geographic Range: Temperatures, Timing, and Survival. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 11 (1): 84-90. - get paper here
  • Diaz-Figueroa, O.; Klarsfeld, J.D.; Mitchell, M.A. & Maxit, I. 2005. Health status and conservation of the Louisiana Gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus. Reptilia (GB) (41): 66-72 - get paper here
  • Diemer, J.E. 1992. Demography of the Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus in Northern Florida Journal of Herpetology 26 (3): 281-289. - get paper here
  • Diemer, J.E. 1992. Home Range and Movements of the Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus in Northern Florida Journal of Herpetology 26 (2): 158-165. - get paper here
  • Diemer-Berish, Joan E.; Richard A. Kiltie, and Travis M. Thomas 2012. Long-Term Population Dynamics of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in a Pine Plantation in Northern Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 11 (1): 50-58. - get paper here
  • Dirr, Kaitlyn M.; Jaime C. Pawelek, Joshua P. Stone & Matthew E. Kimball 2024. Seasonal and Diel Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Activity and Burrow Use by Commensals in Coastal Beach Dune Habitat as Examined by Wildlife Cameras Chelonian Conservation and Biology Jun 2024 Vol. 23, No. 1: 35-47 - get paper here
  • Dodd Jr. , C. Kenneth 2017. Island paradise or island trap: The uncertain future of Florida’s turtle island. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 24 (2): 83–94 - get paper here
  • Donini, J; Fox, M; Frankel, B; Carraxco, Y; Spektor, M; Abbott, K; Bast, R & Barron, H; 2019. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Deformity. Herpetological Review 50 (2): 351-352 - get paper here
  • DONINI, JORDAN; J. SEAN DOODY, MEGHAN CRAFT, REBECCA SPEER & GEORGE L. HEINRICH. 2021. TERRAPENE BAURI (Florida Box Turtle) and GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). BURROW ASSOCIATE and REPRODUCTION. Herpetological Review 52 (3): 635–636. - get paper here
  • Douglass, J.F. 1978. Refugia of Juvenile Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus (Reptilia, Testudines, Testudinidae) Journal of Herpetology 12 (3): 413-415. - get paper here
  • Douglass, J.F. & C.E. Winegarner 1977. Predators of Eggs and Young of the Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus (Reptilia, Testudines, Testudinidae) in Southern Florida Journal of Herpetology 11 (2): 236-238. - get paper here
  • Douglass, J.F. & J.N. Layne 1978. Activity and Thermoregulation of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southern Florida Herpetologica 34 (4): 359-374. - get paper here
  • DUFFIE, DUSTON R.; SCOTT A. RUSH, DARREN A. MILLER, & DANIEL U. GREENE. 2021. GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). BURROW ASSOCIATES. Herpetological Review 52 (1): 129–130. - get paper here
  • Duméril, A. M.C., G. BIBRON & A. DUMÉRIL 1854. Erpétologie générale ou Histoire Naturelle complète des Reptiles. Vol. 9. Paris, XX + 440 S. - get paper here
  • Duméril, A.M.C., and G. Bibron. 1835. Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles, Vol. 2. Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret, Paris, iv + 680 p. - get paper here
  • Dziadzio, Michelina C. and Lora L. Smith. 2015. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) nest and burrow defense. Herpetological Review 46 (1): 80-81 - get paper here
  • Dziadzio, Michelina C.; Richard B. Chandler, Lora L. Smith, and Steven B. Castleberry 2016. Impacts of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) on Nestling and Hatchling Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southwest Georgia, USA. Herp. Cons. Biol. 11 (3): - get paper here
  • Elbers, Jean P. and Sabrina S. Taylor 2019. Mycoplasma Prevalence in a Reintroduced Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Population. Herp. Conserv. Biology 14 (3): - get paper here
  • Ennen, Joshua R., Brian r. Kreiser and Carl P. Qualls. 2010. Low genetic diversity in several gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations in the DeSoto National Forest, Mississippi. Herpetologica 66 (1): 31-38 - get paper here
  • Epperson, D.M. & C.D. Heise 2003. Nesting and Hatching Ecology of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southern Mississippi Journal of Herpetology 37 (2): 315-324. - get paper here
  • Ernst, Carl H.; Lovich, Jeffrey E. 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada, 2nd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 827 pp. - get paper here
  • Ernst,C.H. and Barbour,R.W. 1989. Turtles of the World. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. - London
  • Eubanks, Jeannine Ott, William K. Michener and Craig Guyer. 2003. Patterns of movement and burrow use in a population of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetologica 59 (3): 311-321 - get paper here
  • Figueroa, Adrian; James Lange & Steven M. Whitfield 2021. Seed Consumption by Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in the Globally Imperiled Pine Rockland Ecosystem of Southern Florida, USA. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Jun 2021 Vol. 20, No. 1: 27-34 - get paper here
  • Goessling, J.M., M.T. Mendonca & A.G. Appel 2018. Assessment of Seasonal Metabolic Acclimation in Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus): Does Dormancy Reduce Metabolic Rate? Copeia 106 (1): 56-62. - get paper here
  • Goessling, Jeffrey M.; Katherine Rebois, James C. Godwin, Roger Birkhead, Christopher M. Murray, and Sharon M. Hermann 2017. Differences in Fluctuating Asymmetry Among Four Populations of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12 (2) - get paper here
  • Goin, C.J. & C.C. Goff 1941. Notes on the Growth Rate of the Gopher Turtle, Gopherus polyphemus Herpetologica 2 (3): 66-68. - get paper here
  • Graham, Sean P., David A. Steen and David J. Printiss. 2015. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) burrow associate. Herpetological Review 46 (2): 244 - get paper here
  • GREENE, AUBREY HEUPEL & JONATHAN D. MAYS. 2022. Geographic distribution: GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). USA: FLORIDA: Baker Co. Herpetological Review 53 (1): 76.
  • Grosse, Andrew M.; Kurt A. Buhlmann, Bess B. Harris, Brett A. DeGregorio, Brett M. Moule, Robert V. Horan, and Tracey D. Tuberville 2012. Nest Guarding in the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 11 (1): 148-151. - get paper here
  • Guyer, Craig; Jeffrey M. Goessling & Brian Folt 2024. Annual and Lifetime Home Ranges Reveal Movement Patterns Within and Among Local Populations of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) Chelonian Conservation and Biology Jun 2024 Vol. 23, No. 1: 81-91 - get paper here
  • Guyer, Craig; Valerie M. Johnson, and Sharon M. Hermann 2012. Effects of Population Density On Patterns of Movement and Behavior of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetological Monographs 26 (1): 122-134. - get paper here
  • Halstead, Brian J., Earl D. McCoy, Terri A. Stilson and Henry R. Mushinsky 2007. Alternative foraging tactics of juvenile gopher tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus, examined using correlated random walk models. Herpetologica 63 (4): 472-781 - get paper here
  • Harper, Francis 1940. Some works of Bartram, Daudin, Latreille, and Sonnini, and their bearing upon North American herpetological nomenclature. American Midland Naturalist 23 (3): 692-723 - get paper here
  • HENGSTEBECK, KODIAK C. & CHRISTINA M. ROMAGOSA 2021. A New Method for Deploying Temperature Loggers in Gopher Tortoise Burrows. Herpetological Review 52 (1): 21–23.
  • Herman, J. E. and M. Gocek-Short 2017. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Behavior. Herpetological Review 48 (2): 425-426 - get paper here
  • Holbrook, Aaron L., Jodie M. Jawor, Matt Hinderliter and James R. Lee. 2015. A hatchling gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) care protocol for experimental research and head-starting programs. Herpetological Review 46 (4): 538-543 - get paper here
  • Jackson, Dale R.; Ostertag, Thomas E. 1999. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise). Scavenging. Herpetological Review 30 (1): 40 - get paper here
  • Jamniczky, H. A. and A. P. Russell 2007. Reappraisal of Patterns of Nonmarine Cryptodiran Turtle Carotid Circulation: Evidence From Osteological Correlates and Soft Tissues. Journal of Morphology 268:571–587 - get paper here
  • Jensen, John B.; Carlos D. Camp, Whit Gibbons, & Matt J. Elliott 2008. Amphibians and reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press, 575 pp.
  • Jodice, P.G.R., D.M. Epperson & G.H. Visser 2006. Daily Energy Expenditure in Free-Ranging Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) Copeia 2006 (1): 129-136. - get paper here
  • Johnson, Valerie M.; Craig Guyer, Sharon M. Hermann, Jeannine Eubanks, and William K. Michener 2009. Patterns of disperson and burrow use support scramble competition polygyny in Gopherus polyphemus. Herpetologica 65 (2): 214-218 - get paper here
  • Jones, Michael T., Lisabeth L. Willey and Noah D. Charney. 2011. Geographic Distribution: Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise). Herpetological Review 42 (3): 388 - get paper here
  • Kahn, P.F., C. Guyer & M.T. Mendonca 2007. Handling, Blood Sampling, and Temporary Captivity Do Not Affect Plasma Corticosterone or Movement Patterns of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus) Copeia 2007 (3): 614-621. - get paper here
  • Kenefick, J.H. 1954. Observations on Egg Laying of the Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Copeia 1954 (3): 228-229. - get paper here
  • Knapp, Daniel D.; Jennifer M. Howze, Chris M. Murphy, Michelina C. Dziadzio, and Lora L. Smith 2018. Prescribed Fire Affects Diurnal Vertebrate Use of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrows in a Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Forest. Herp. Cons. Biol. 13 (3): 551–557 - get paper here
  • Lamb, Blake D.; Corey D. Anderson, Colleen M. Mcdonough, J. Mitchell Lockhart & Zachary P. Butler 2023. A Comparison of Vertebrate Associates of Gopher Tortoise and Nine-Banded Armadillo Burrows in South Georgia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Dec 2023 Vol. 22, No. 2: 184-196 - get paper here
  • Lamb, Jennifer Y.; Joshua R. Ennen, and Carl P. Qualls 2013. Environmental Characteristics of Nest Sites Selected by Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southern Mississippi. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Dec 2013, Vol. 12, No. 2: 227-234. - get paper here
  • Lamb, Trip;Avise, John C.;Gibbons, J. Whitfield 1989. Phylogeographic patterns in mitochondrial DNA of the desert tortoise (Xerobates agassizi), and evolutionary relationships among the North American gopher tortoises. Evolution 43 (1): 76-87 - get paper here
  • Lamb, Trip;Lydeard, Charles 1994. A molecular phylogeny of the gopher tortoises, with comments on familial relationships within the Testudinoidea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 3 (4): 283-291 - get paper here
  • Landers, J.L., J.A. Garner & W.A. McRae 1980. Reproduction of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southwestern Georgia Herpetologica 36 (4): 353-361. - get paper here
  • Lee, James R. and Stephen C. Richter. 2014. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) predation. Herpetological Review 45 (3): 484 - get paper here
  • Lips, K.R. 1991. Vertebrates Associated with Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrows in Four Habitats in South-central Florida Journal of Herpetology 25 (4): 477-481. - get paper here
  • Lohoefener, R. & L. Lohmeier 1981. Comparison of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Habitats in Young Slash Pine and Old Longleaf Pine Areas of Southern Mississippi Journal of Herpetology 15 (2): 239-242. - get paper here
  • Lönnberg, Einar 1894. Notes on reptiles and batrachians collected in Florida in 1892 and 1893. Proc. US Natl. Mus. 17 (1003): 317-339 - get paper here
  • Macdonald, L.A. & H.R. Mushinsky 1988. Foraging Ecology of the Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, in a Sandhill Habitat Herpetologica 44 (3): 345-353. - get paper here
  • McCord, W.P. & Joseph-Ouni, M. 2004. Chelonian Illustrations #14: North and South American Tortoises. Reptilia (GB) (34): 47-50 - get paper here
  • McHugh, S; White, K N; Rothermel, B B; Tuberville, T D & Zamudio, K R; 2019. Nesting and false nesting behaviors of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetological Review 50 (3): 453-459 - get paper here
  • McRae, W.A., J.L. Landers & G.D. Cleveland 1981. Sexual Dimorphism in the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Herpetologica 37 (1): 46-52. - get paper here
  • Means, D.B. 1982. Responses to Winter Burrow Flooding of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus Daudin) Herpetologica 38 (4): 521-525. - get paper here
  • Metzger, Cheryl J. 2013. Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese python) habitat use / occurrence within Gopherus polyphemus burrows. Herpetological Review 44 (2): 333-334 - get paper here
  • Moore, Jon A., Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith and John W. Woolard. 2006. Gopherus polyphemus Coyote predation. Herpetological Review 37 (1): 78-79 - get paper here
  • Mrykalo, Robert, Gregory Juszli, Garren Mezza and James Southerland. 2016. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Size. Herpetological Review 47 (2): 284-285 - get paper here
  • Mushinsky, H.R. & McCoy, E.D. 2006. Gopherus polyphemus - The Gopher tortoise. Reptilia (GB) (49): 16-21 - get paper here
  • Mushinsky, H.R. & McCoy, E.D. 2006. Die Gopherschildkröte (Gopherus polyphemus). Reptilia (Münster) 11 (62): 35-40 - get paper here
  • Mushinsky, H.R., D.S. Wilson & E.D. McCoy 1994. Growth and Sexual Dimorphism of Gopherus polyphemus in Central Florida Herpetologica 50 (2): 119-128. - get paper here
  • Mushinsky, H.R.; Stilson, T.A. & McCoy, E.D. 2003. Diet and dietary preference of the juvenile Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetologica 59 (4): 475-483 - get paper here
  • Neill, W.T. & E.R. Allen 1957. The Laminal Spurs of the Juvenile Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus (Daudin) Copeia 1957 (4): 307. - get paper here
  • Nichols, Richard A. 1989. Mitochondrial DNA clues to gopher tortoise dispersal. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 4: 192 - get paper here
  • Noel, Krista M; Carl P Qualls, and Joshua R Ennen 2012. A Comparison of Artificial Incubation and Natural Incubation Hatching Success of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Eggs In Southern Mississippi. Herpetologica 68 (3): 324-333. - get paper here
  • Osentoski, M.F.;Lamb, T. 1995. Intraspecific phylogeography of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus: RFLP analysis of amplified mtDNA segments. Molecular Ecology 4 (6): 709-718 - get paper here
  • Paden, Lance; Kimberly M. Andrews, Carmen Candal, and James F. Renner 2020. Use of Prescribed Fire to Increase Detectability of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Burrows Prior to Relocation. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 15 (2): - get paper here
  • PALANDRI, MICHAEL T. & MARGARET L. LAMONT. 2021. GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS (Gopher Tortoise). ADULT MORTALITY. Herpetological Review 52 (2): 390–391. - get paper here
  • Pawelek, Jaime C. and Matthew E. Kimball 2014. Gopher Tortoise Ecology in Coastal Upland and Beach Dune Habitats in Northeast Florida. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Jul 2014, Vol. 13, No. 1: 27-34. - get paper here
  • Perez-Heydrich, Carolina; Katharine Jackson, Lori D Wendland, and Mary B Brown 2012. Gopher Tortoise Hatchling Survival: Field Study and Meta-Analysis. Herpetologica 68 (3): 334-344. - get paper here
  • Pike, D.A. 2006. Movement Patterns, Habitat Use, and Growth of Hatchling Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus Copeia 2006 (1): 68-76. - get paper here
  • Pike, David, A. & Richard A. Seigel 2006. Variation in hatchling tortoise survivorship at three geographic localities. Herpetologica 62 (2): 125-131 - get paper here
  • Quinn, Daniel P., Tracey D. Tuberville and Kurt A. Buhlmann. 2016. Gopher tortoise hatching success from predator-excluded nests at three sites in Georgia. Herpetological Review 47 (1): 13-16 - get paper here
  • Radzio, Thomas A.; James A. Cox, and Michael P. O'Connor 2017. Hatching Success and Other Reproductive Attributes of Gopher Tortoises in Southwest Georgia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 16 (1): 103-105. - get paper here
  • Radzio, Thomas A.; James A. Cox, and Michael P. O’Connor 2017. Behavior and Conspecific Interactions of Nesting Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) [Supplementary Videos] Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12 (2) - get paper here
  • Radzio, Thomas A.; James A. Cox, James R. Spotila and Michael P. O'Connor 2016. Aggression, Combat, and Apparent Burrow Competition in Hatchling and Juvenile Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 15 (2): 231-237 - get paper here
  • Rafinesque, C. S. 1832. Description of two new genera of soft shell turtles of North America. Atlantic Journal and Friend of Knowledge 1 (2): 64-65 - get paper here
  • Rautsaw, R. M., C. Yanick, S. Medina, C. L. Parkinson, S. Martin and M. R. Bolt 2016. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) predation. Herpetological Review 47(3): 447-448. - get paper here
  • Rautsaw, R. M., Martin, S. A., Lanctot, K., Vincent, B. A., Bolt, M. R., Seigel Richard A., & Parkinson, C. L. 2018. On the Road Again: Assessing the Use of Roadsides as Wildlife Corridors for Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus). Journal of Herpetology 52 (2): 136–144 - get paper here
  • Rautsaw, R.M., S.A. Martin, B.A. Vincent, K. Lanctot, M.R. Bolt, R.A. Seigel & C.L. Parkinson 2018. Stopped Dead in Their Tracks: The Impact of Railways on Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Movement and Behavior Copeia 106 (1): 135-143. - get paper here
  • Richter, Stephen C.; Jeffrey A. Jackson, Matthew Hinderliter, Deborah Epperson, Christopher W. Theodorakis, and S. Marshall Adams 2011. Conservation Genetics of the Largest Cluster of Federally Threatened Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Colonies with Implications for Species Management. Herpetologica Dec 2011, Vol. 67, No. 4: 406-419. - get paper here
  • Say, T. 1824. On the fresh water and land Tortoises of the United States. J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 4 (2): 203-219 - get paper here
  • Seigel, R.A., R.B. Smith & N.A. Seigel 2003. Swine Flu or 1918 Pandemic? Upper Respiratory Tract Disease and the Sudden Mortality of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) on a Proteced Habitat in Florida Journal of Herpetology 37 (1): 137-144. - get paper here
  • Sinclair, Abby L., Narum, Kevin E. and Lee, James R. 2016. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Diet. Herpetological Review 47 (4): 653 - get paper here
  • Sinclair, Colleen S.; Patrick J. Dawes, and Richard A. Seigel 2010. Genetic structuring of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations on the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA. Herp. Cons. Biol. 5 (2) - get paper here
  • Small, M; Dillman, J W; Buhlmann, K A; Tuberville, T D & Kesler, J B 2018. Effects of canid damage on thermal characteristics of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows at the northern extant of the species' range. Herpetological Review 49 (2): 224-229 - get paper here
  • Stanford, Craig B. 2010. THE LAST TORTOISE, A TAIL OF EXTINCTION IN OUR LIFETIMES. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Hardcover, 240 pp.
  • Stevenson, Dirk J. and Houston C. Chandler 2017. The Herpetofauna of Conservation Lands along the Altamaha River, Georgia. Southeastern Naturalist 16 (2):261-282 - get paper here
  • Styrsky, Jennifer Nesbitt; Craig Guyer, Harold Balbach, and Asuman Turkmen 2010. The Relationship Between Burrow Abundance and Area as a Predictor of Gopher Tortoise Population Size. Herpetologica 66 (4): 403-410 - get paper here
  • Timmerman, Walter W.;Roberts, Richard E. 1994. Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise). Maximum size. Herpetological Review 25 (2): 64 - get paper here
  • Tobey, F.J., Jr. 1979. Observations on Gopherus polyphemus in West-Central Georgia Bull. Maryland Herpetol. Soc., 15(1): 27-28. - get paper here
  • TTWG [Peter Paul van Dijk, John B. Iverson, Anders G.J. Rhodin, H. Bradley Shaffer, and Roger Bour] 2014. Turtles of the World, 7th Edition: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution with Maps, and Conservation Status. 000.v7. Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.000.checklist.v7.2014 - get paper here
  • TTWG; Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R., Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B., and van Dijk, P.P. 2021. Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (9th Ed.). In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., van Dijk, P.P., Stanford, C.B., Goode, E.V., Buhlmann, K.A., and Mittermeier, R.A. (Eds.). Chelonian Research Monographs 8:1–472. doi:10.3854/crm.8.checklist.atlas.v9.2021. - get paper here
  • Tuberville, Tracey D.; Daniel P. Quinn & Kurt A. Buhlmann 2021. Movement and Survival to Winter Dormancy of Fall-Released Hatchling and Head-Started Yearling Gopher Tortoises. Journal of Herpetology 55 (1): 88-94 - get paper here
  • Ultsch, G.R. & J.F. Anderson 1986. The Respiratory Microenvironment within the Burrows of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) Copeia 1986 (3): 787-795. - get paper here
  • Vieyra, Michelle L. 2011. Olfactory Receptor Genes in Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Sea Turtles: Evidence for a Reduction in the Number of Functional Genes in Aquatic Species. Chelonian Conservation and Biology Dec 2011, Vol. 10, No. 2: 181-187. - get paper here
  • Vlachos, E. and Rabi, M. 2018. Total evidence analysis and body size evolution of extant and extinct tortoises (Testudines: Cryptodira: Pan-Testudinidae). Cladistics 34: 652–683, doi:10.1111/cla.12227 - get paper here
  • Walkup, D K; Hibbitts, T J; Ryberg, W A; Lopez, R R; Hagedorn, B W; Preston, J R; Pittman, W & Johnson, J T; 2019. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Predation. Herpetological Review 50 (1): 123-124 - get paper here
  • Werning, H. 2011. Gopherus polyphemus. Reptilia (Münster) 16 (88): 47 - get paper here
  • Whitfield, S.M., Ridgley, F., Valle, D. & Atteberry, N. 2018. Seroprevalence of Mycoplasma agassizii and Mycoplasma testudineum in wild and waif Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. Herpetological Review 49 (1): 47-49. - get paper here
  • Wilson, D.S. 1991. Estimates of Survival for Juvenile Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus Journal of Herpetology 25 (3): 376-379. - get paper here
  • Wilson, D.S. et al. 2003. Estimating age of turtles from growth rings: a critical evaluation of the technique. Herpetologica 59 (2): 178-194 - get paper here
  • Winchell, S. 2006. Tortoises of North America - an overview of the genus Gopherus. Reptilia (GB) (49): 9-15 - get paper here
  • Winchell, S. & Love, B. 2006. Die Landschildkröten Nordamerikas. Ein Überblick über die Gattung Gopherus. Reptilia (Münster) 11 (62): 20-27 - get paper here
  • Wirth, M. & Philippen, H.D. 2009. Auf der Suche nach Gopher- und Dosenschildkröten. Draco 10 (37): 30-37 - get paper here
  • Zeroth, R A & Annis, J M 2018. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Burrow associate. Herpetological Review 49 (2): 319 - get paper here
  • Zimmerman, Linda C.; andC. Richard Tracy 1989. Interactions between the Environment and Ectothermy and Herbivory in Reptiles. Physiological Zoology, 62(2): 374–409 - get paper here
  • Zwartepoorte, Henk 2019. Book review: The natural history and management of the Gopher Tortoise - Gopherus polyphemus (Daudin) (Ashton, Ashton) Podarcis 10 (1): 17-18 - get paper here
 
External links  
Is it interesting? Share with others:


Please submit feedback about this entry to the curator