Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise) (Sanibel Island, Florida, USA)

Description:

Summary[edit] Description: English: Gopherus polyphemus Daudin, 1802 - gopher tortoise in Florida, USA. (December 2012) The turtles & tortoises (chelonians) are an ancient group of reptiles that have a Triassic to Holocene stratigraphic record. Turtles are most easily recognized by their shell - some forms can retract the head & limbs into the shell when threatened, while other species cannot. Their overall body plan has changed very little since the Triassic - a great example of conservative evolution. Chelonians occur in terrestrial, freshwater, brackish-water, and marine settings. The gopher tortoise is native to Florida. It was formely much more common than it is now. The moderately large individual shown above is sheltered in a shady depression. Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Reptilia, Anapsida, Chelonia/Testudines, Testudinidae Locality: Gulfside Park Preserve, Sanibel Island, southwestern Florida, USA More info. at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher_tortoise. Date: 15 December 2012, 13:30:25. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/25667972751/. Author: James St. John.