Texas Tortoises (Gopherus berlandieri)

I found these five Texas Tortoises at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. I also found a sixth specimen that died in an apparent battle battle of male dominance. He had been flipped over on his back, probably by another male he met along the trail, and was unable to right himself. There's some inconsistency between state and international listings of this animal's status. The state of Texas lists it as threatened, while internationally it is listed as a species of least concern. I didn't expect to find any, but I found six.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• tortoise
• texas
• reptile
• wildlife
• animal

[ExtropianRecords]

what time of year did you see these guys?

[drober11]

@ExtropianRecords: It was August, and it was hot as hell.

[memohavok]

I dont think this is a berlandieri, maybe is an agassizii... I own a berlandieri, i found it in my job here in mexico. I love turtles, they are the best animal on earth... Fuck dogs and cats, they are idiots. Haha.

[drober11]

Interesting thought. I am fairly certain these tortoises are berlandieri, as berlandieri is the only member of the genus Gopherus known to inhabit southeastern Texas. Also, agassizii would be an unlikely candidate because the Laguna Atascosa is nearly 1000 miles outside its range. Perhaps there are Gopherus species in Mexico whose ranges overlap with berlandieri?

[drober11]

yeah. i was pleased to find them.

[Pochoa6415]

Texas Tortoises are very fast indeed!

[NinjaHerps]

nice tortoise!

[floydstinkyboy]

nice. i remember seeing terrapins, after a rain, when i wuz a kid down soth.