Crash arrived on July 23,2011. It was believed he was hit by a car resulting in spinal trauma from a crushed carapace. He was unable to use his back legs and showed signs of Upper Repertory Track Disease. After 2 years he never fully recovered enough to be released.
Facts about Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a species of the Gopherus genus native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for 360 other animal species. They are threatened by predation and habitat destruction.
The gopher tortoise is a fairly large terrestrial turtle which possesses forefeet well adapted for burrowing, and elephantine hind feet. These features are common to most tortoises. The front legs have scales to protect the tortoise while burrowing. They are dark brown to gray-black in overall color, with a yellow plastron (bottom shell). Sexual dimorphism is evident, with male gopher tortoises having concave plastrons, while those of females are flat. Carapace length can range from 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in), with a height (to the peak of the shell at the middle of the body) of 15–37 cm (5.9–14.6 in). Body mass averages 4 kg (8.8 lb), with a range of 2–6 kg (4.4–13.2 lb).
Reason for captivity: Spinal damage (struck by a vehicle)
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