Gopher Tortoise (IMAGE) University of Georgia Caption Gopher tortoises are federally listed as a threatened species in the western part of their range and prefer open-canopied longleaf pine forests, which now cover only two percent of their historic range. Credit Tracey Tuberville/University of Georgia Usage Restrictions Please credit Tracey Tuberville/University of Georgia License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.