Evidence for Year-Round Reproduction in the Gopher Tortoise (<i>Gopherus polyphemus</i>) in Southeastern Florida

Abstract

In north Florida and Georgia, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) were originally reported courting from April to June, laying eggs from May to June, and producing hatchlings in August and September. We report on seasonality, courtship, nesting and hatchlings at a site in South Florida. Courtship behavior occurred in every month of the year and mounting was observed in summer, fall and winter. Very young tortoises of sizes close to hatching were encountered throughout the year. Freshly depredated nests were found in fall and winter. This suggests that the reproductive season may be more extended in the southern end of this species' geographic range.