Gopher Tortoise: The State Reptile of Georgia

Michael Barber/Unsplash

The gopher tortoise, which is the only land tortoise native to the Southeast, is the state reptile of Georgia. The honor was designated to the species as it is considered a keystone species to the Georgian ecosystem.

These tortoises' importance is hinted at in its name, gopher. Just like the pocket gopher, the gopher tortoise digs a burrow to protect itself from external threats, such as predators or wildfires. Their burrows go as long as 40 feet and as deep as 10 feet, which is large enough to shelter other animals.

During wildfires or prescribed burnings, gopher tortoises will "alert" other animals by going into their burrows. The other animals take this as a signal of danger and follow suit. These tortoises will also "notify" other animals when it's safe outside by leaving their burrows. Around 360 species have been found using the burrows as their shelters.

These tortoises' role in helping mother nature does not stop in just providing shelter for other animals. As their diet mainly comprises plants, they also take a role in spreading seeds. Their excrement contains pre-fertilized seed packets of the fruit they eat. It supports the plant to take root farther away, encased in vital nutrients.

Gopher tortoises can live up to 100 years, which means it is possible for a single tortoise to create a forest on its own. It is no wonder that an entire ecosystem would collapse without them.

As it is evident how gopher tortoises are vital to the Georgia ecosystem, Zoo Atlanta would make a constant effort to protect these species.

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