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Box in Shape of Tortoise - Public domain photo of museum object

Africa, Israel, Matson photograph collection

Netsuke of Turtle - Public domain photo of museum object

A black and white photo of a turtle. Tortoise turtle animal.

A small gray kitten standing on a sidewalk. Cat young cat playful.

An orange cat walking on top of a rock. Cat kitten mieze.

A white cat with blue eyes walking on a path. Cat walking pet.

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Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2016.

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2015.

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 2016.

Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2016.

Ghost crab (Ocypodinae), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2015.

Cave cricket (Rhaphidophoridae), Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, 2016.

Fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus whipplei), Hovenweep National Monument, 2016.

Ring-tailed cat (Bassariscus astutus), Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, 2016.

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Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2016.

description

Summary

The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species because of its role in landscape ecology wherever they are found. What service do they perform that is so important? The gopher tortoise digs burrows throughout its range, providing habitat for at least 360 other animal species, including everything from snakes, frogs, mice, birds and spiders to crickets, beetles and many other insect species. These burrows are quite extensive, reaching thirty feet in length and an amazing six feet in depth.

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Tags

tortoise gopher tortoise topher gopherus animal wild wildlife fort matanzas national monument gopherus polyphemus burrows keystone species insect species species thirty feet six feet landscape ecology national parks gallery national monuments florida st augustine
date_range

Date

2016
create

Source

National Parks Gallery
link

Link

https://npgallery.nps.gov/
copyright

Copyright info

Public Domain Dedication

label_outline Explore Thirty Feet, Gopherus Polyphemus, Gopher Tortoise

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Topics

tortoise gopher tortoise topher gopherus animal wild wildlife fort matanzas national monument gopherus polyphemus burrows keystone species insect species species thirty feet six feet landscape ecology national parks gallery national monuments florida st augustine