Effects of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Body Size on Burrow Structure

We measured gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and their burrows from a population in central Florida. Burrows of most juveniles were excavated. Newly emerged hatchlings constructed burrows that had the same structure as the burrows of older juveniles. The cross-sectional shape of juvenile burrows was similar to that of adult burrows, although the latter tended to be proportionally wider. Differences in burrow shape between juveniles and adults were consistent with allometric changes in tortoise shape. juvenile burrows had a significantly greater angle of declination than adult burrows. Regression analysis showed that relationship between carapace length and burrow width differed significantly between juveniles and adults.