Gopher tortoise spend the majority of their time in burrows that they dig with their specialized shovel-like forelimbs. The burrows average 15 feet long and 6 feet deep, but have been recorded as large as 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. The width of the burrow is equal to the length of the tortoise, enabling it to turn around in the burrow. In fact, burrow widths can be measured to determine the approximate length of the resident tortoise. Individual tortoise usually have multiple burrows, which sometimes are shared among individuals.
Males generally have more burrows than females.
In central Florida, males have an average of 17 burrows while females have an average of 9 burrows. Burrows are usually situated in sunny spots, yet remain at a fairly constant temperature and humidity. This offers protection from excessive heat in the summer, and cold temperatures in the winter. Burrows are also used as an escape from predators and offer protection from fires. The burrows benefit these animals in much the same way that they benefit the gopher tortoise, offering a relatively constant temperature and humidity, protection from predators, and refuge during fires .