Reptile · GBIF taxon 2441808
Texas Tortoise
Gopherus berlandieriAlso known as Berlandier's Tortoise
Texas tortoises thrive in the dry brushlands and thorn scrub of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Unlike their burrow-digging relatives, they scrape out shallow earthen resting spots called pallets beneath shade bushes to shelter from intense sun. Their diet relies heavily on the succulent pads and bright red fruits of prickly pear cacti, supplying crucial hydration in arid landscapes.
ReptileHerbivoreArid Lands
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Prickly pear cactus
- Native grasses
- Wild succulent leaves
Predators
- Coyotes
- Bobcats
- Raccoons
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, road mortality, historic overcollection for pets
HabitatsArid brushlands, thorn scrub, dry savannahs, coastal dunes
Life span50–70 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTestudinidae
- SpeciesGopherus berlandieri
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance; protected by state laws from harvest or handling.
- What to notice
- Look for a high-domed, horn-colored shell with yellowish centers on each plate and blunt, column-like back legs.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance and avoid touching or picking up wild individuals, which can cause them to empty vital water stores.
Responsible observation
- Observe Quietly: Watch from a few steps back to avoid prompting the tortoise to retreat into its shell.
- Assist Road Crossers: If safely possible, move a tortoise off roads in the exact direction it was already traveling.
- Do Not Relocate: Keep wild tortoises in their natural habitat, as moving them far from home leads to disorientation.
Food Plant (c) Daniel Washburn, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Pacific Southwest Region USFWS, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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