Gopher tortoises can live 40 to 60 years in the wild, spending 80% of their time near their burrow, feeding on low-growing plants in their environment. They nest and lay eggs in sunny locations near the entrance to their burrow. Gopher tortoises are ectotherms, depending on their burrow to maintain body temperature. The primary threat to the gopher tortoise is loss of habitat from urbanization and land development.