Leighton Photography & Imaging

  • Home
  • Website
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • How to Download
  • Galleries
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
3 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • A common, yet threatened keystone species of the pineland scrubs of Florida, the gopher tortoise is extremely important to so many of the species it lives with, tremendous conservation efforts are being put into place to save this vulnerable animal and its habitat. This long-lived and only native North American tortoise is found throughout much of the coastal Southeast, and the most important thing it does for its home is dig. Gopher tortoises dig enormous burrows that can be up to 50 feet long and nearly 10 feet deep, and not only just one burrow. Over the area of several acres, it can build many burrows to suit its needs over a lifetime. These tunnels keep it safe from predators, cool in summer, warm in winter, and more importantly - become homes and shelters for other species who have evolved to take advantage of this master burrower's talents. Biologists have named at least 360 species that rely on these burrows for their own livelihood, such as foxes, skunks, rattlesnakes, etc.... This one was photographed near the Estero River in Estero, Florida.
    Gopher Tortoise
  • This old gopher tortoise was found in Estero, Florida in an area with a large healthy population. Taking a break from some recent digging, this one was covered in packed, stained sand, common underground in pine scrub habitats.
    Gopher Tortoise Portrait
  • Close-up of Florida's threatened and endangered gopher tortoise. This old male in Estero was the biggest we've ever seen.
    Florida Gopher Tortoise