MONTGOMERY-Did you know: Female gopher tortoises usually lay their eggs in the burrow apron, the sandy area in front of the burrows, by digging a nest in the sand and depositing a clutch of eggs. A clutch ranges in size from 3-15 ping pong ball sized eggs and once laid, the eggs are covered to protect them from predators such as dogs, skunks, coyotes, raccoons and many others. However, gopher tortoises cannot protect their eggs from one predator, humans. Be conservation conscious and take care not to disturb bare dirt in front of tortoise burrows, so that potential nests are not destroyed. This is especially important during breeding season from April to June.
Tortoises, along with other ground nesting species, are very susceptible to nest predation. With a little luck, eggs will begin to hatch after 100-110 days and baby tortoises will begin to emerge by the end of the summer. Once hatched, tortoises make their way to cover in the adult’s burrow or under logs and leaf litter. Be on the lookout for baby tortoises this time of year as they begin to emerge from their nests!
To learn more about Alabama’s amazing gopher tortoises visit Outdoor Alabama’s Gopher Tortoise Page.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
