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:''This article is about a single species of tortoise. For related species in North America that are also called gopher tortoises, see Gopherus'' The gopher tortoise (''Gopherus polyphemus'') is a species of the ''Gopherus'' genus native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 known other animal species. They are threatened by predation and habitat destruction. The gopher tortoise is a representative of the genus ''Gopherus'', which contains the only tortoises native to North America. This species of gopher tortoise is the state reptile of Georgia and the state tortoise of Florida. ==Description== The gopher tortoise is a fairly large terrestrial turtle which possesses forefeet well adapted for burrowing, and elephantine hind feet. These features are common to most tortoises. The front legs have scales to protect the tortoise while burrowing. They are dark brown to gray-black in overall color, with a yellow plastron (bottom shell). A gular projection is evident on the anterior plastron where the head projects out from the shell. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with male gopher tortoises having concave plastrons, while those of females are flat. In addition, the gular projection on male plastrons is generally longer than in females. Carapace length can range from , with a height (to the peak of the shell at the middle of the body) of . Body mass averages , with a range of .〔(Wildlife as Canon sees it ). canon.com〕〔(Gopherus polyphemus ). Sms.si.edu. Retrieved on 2013-10-21.〕 Gopher tortoises can easily drown since they do not swim well.〔() Associated Press. Published 2015-04-03. Retrieved on 2015-09-26.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「gopher tortoise」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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