gopher tortoise
- noun
- /ˈɡoʊfər ˈtɔːrtoʊs/
- US
:
tortuga gopher
- The aim, Aresco says, is "to save gopher tortoises from development and reestablish gopher tortoise populations on land where they were historically overharvested by humans."
Examples
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Aresco has been directing Nokuse's gopher tortoise rescue effort, which is the largest in the state, involving about 1,500 gopher tortoises.
Academic text (2008) -
Some of the state and federally listed rare species found there are the gopher tortoise, pine snake, and Cooley's meadow rue.
Academic text (2008) -
Aresco has been directing Nokuse's gopher tortoise rescue effort, which is the largest in the state, involving about 1,500 gopher tortoises.
Academic text (2008) -
The aim, Aresco says, is "to save gopher tortoises from development and reestablish gopher tortoise populations on land where they were historically overharvested by humans."
Academic text (2008) -
Ocean-going species are sea turtles, and members of the family Testudinidae, such as the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), are considered tortoises.
Blog text (9) -
While walking in the nature reserve, I was thrilled to spot a gopher tortoise digging a deep burrow in the sandy soil.
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The gopher tortoise is known for its extensive burrows, which provide homes for many other creatures in the ecosystem.
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As part of our conservation efforts, we are working to protect the gopher tortoise and its natural habitat in the southeastern United States.
Synonyms
50
1.2
A slow land animal with a hard domed shell and thick legs that eats plants
2
8.9
A large land turtle that digs burrows and lives in them
A large land tortoise that lives in burrows in the southeastern United States
A burrowing land tortoise from the southeastern United States that makes large burrows and shelters other animals
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'gopher tortoise' is compositionally transparent: combining 'gopher' (a burrowing animal) with 'tortoise' (a land reptile with a shell) yields a tortoise species characterized by burrowing. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer it refers to a burrowing land tortoise (the regional/species detail is extra but does not prevent understanding).
Etymology
The gopher tortoise gets its name because this tortoise digs long burrows like a gopher. Those deep holes become 'homes' for many other animals, so the name reminds us it is a burrowing tortoise.