Gopher Tortoise on Beach

Tortoise on the Beach

At first I thought this was some kind of debris, then realized it was moving towards me, and at a pretty good clip.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach, Atlantic Ocean

I expected he would be heading for the sand dunes behind me: tortoises don’t swim.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach

Instead he made a turn and continued on at the water’s edge.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach

Talbot Islands State Parks, Florida
April 27, 2021

The gopher tortoise is one of five North American tortoise species and is the only tortoise naturally found east of the Mississippi River. Its range includes the southeastern Coastal Plain from southeastern Louisiana east to southern South Carolina, and south to Florida.  ~ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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