The Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri), is one of four species of tortoise that are native to North America. Its range begins in southern Texas and extends southward into the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. The epithet berlandieri is in honor of the Belgian naturalist Jean Louis Berlandier, who worked for the Mexican government on one of the first biological surveys of Texas. As such, some sources refer to it as Berlandier’s Tortoise.
Behavior
The Texas Tortoise, like all species of gopher tortoise, are adept burrowers. Often having several different burrows in their territory which they retreat into during the heat of the day. Its preferred habitat is dry scrub and grasslands. Succulent plants, a preferred food of the Texas tortoise, are common in these areas. They especially like the fruit of cacti such as the prickly pear.
Conservation status
Though considered an animal of low concern by the IUCN Red List, the Texas Tortoise is listed as a threatened species in the state of Texas, and thus protected by state law.
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