Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
Turtles & tortoises · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) (origin: The south-eastern USA – longleaf pine forest). Adult size around 23–38 cm. Life expectancy 60–80 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Gopher tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?
250×120 cm floor area.
Gopher tortoise: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–33 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 15–20 °C.
Gopher tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).
Gopher tortoise: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 60–80 years.
Gopher tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–33 °C
- Night temperature
- 15–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 40 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 250×120 cm floor area
- Substrate
- Sand-loam 40–60 cm for burrowing, dry grasses
Feeding
- Food
- Grasses, herbs, wild plants – purely plant-based
- Feeding interval
- plant food daily
Key facts
- Adult size
- 23–38 cm
- Life expectancy
- 60–80 years
- Origin
- The south-eastern USA – longleaf pine forest
- Protection status
- CITES II; protected in the USA (Threatened) – only European captive-bred animals
- Brumation
- A cooler rest of 10–14 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly outside the breeding season is normal; the animals are mostly solitary and defend their own burrow. For breeding, put one male with several females in a very large enclosure with separate burrowing spots, since females can visibly lose weight under constant courtship from one male.
Notes
In the wild it digs burrows up to 10 m long that shelter hundreds of other species – in the terrarium, deep, diggable substrate is decisive. A very large space requirement.
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Related species
- Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) – Intermediate
- Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) – Expert
- Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) – Expert
- Asian forest tortoise (Manouria emys) – Intermediate to expert
- Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) – Intermediate
- Forsten's tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) – Expert
- Chaco tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) – Intermediate
- Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (250×120 cm floor area), substrate (Sand-loam 40–60 cm for burrowing, dry grasses), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher_tortoise, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Gopherus&species=polyphemus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).