Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise), Ctenosaura similis (Gray's Spiny-Tailed Iguana) Predation

Authors

Michael L. Avery, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Eric A. Tillman, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Kenneth Krysko, Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology, University of FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in Herpetological Review 40(4), 2009.

Abstract

Gopherus polyphemus is currently listed as a threatened and protected species in the state of Florida (Mushinsky et al. 2006. In Meylan led.], Biology and Conservation of Florida Turtles, pp. 350-375. Chelonian Research Monographs 3). Documented natural predators of Gopherus polyphemus include the Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteris), Striped Skunk (Mephitus mephitis), Opposum (Didelphis virginianus), Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus),and crows (Corvus sp.) (Mushinsky et al., op. cit. ), and the introduced Savaunah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) (Owens et al. 2005. Herpetol. Rev. 3657-58). Herein, we augment this list to include the nonindigenous Gray's Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis).