gopher tortoise

noun

1. any North American burrowing tortoise of the genus Gopherus, especially G. polyphemus, of the southeastern U.S.: several species are now reduced in number.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gopher tortoise¹

First recorded in 1785–95; gopher ¹

Example Sentences

An example is the gopher tortoise, which digs burrows that are used by more than 350 other species for breeding, feeding, protection from predators and avoiding extreme temperatures.

From Science Daily

One example of how the partnership can succeed, Tenny said, is the gopher tortoise.

From Seattle Times

Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision last year not to list the gopher tortoise as endangered or threatened in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and eastern Alabama.

From Seattle Times

Logging and development are two of the gopher tortoise’s biggest threats.

From Seattle Times

One is the gopher tortoise whose burrows shelter scores of animal species including mice, foxes, rabbits, snakes, even birds, and hundreds of kinds of insects.

From Washington Times