The Saga of theTortoise

One of my dogs brought in a tortoise who was minding its own business. The teeth marks were evisdent and I treated the wounds with a Brazilian remedy violeta de genciana" that works for many skin and mucosa problems.
A little about this kind of tortoise:
The gopher tortoise is like the introverted neighbor of the reptile world. While most animals are out running around, trying to climb trees or hunt prey, the gopher tortoise is more into home improvement. It spends most of its life digging underground burrows that can be up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep! These burrows are like luxury apartments for other animals too, providing shelter for over 350 different species. They’re not just homeowners, they’re landlords :-).
Gopher tortoises live in the southeastern United States and can be spotted chilling in sandy soils, wearing a shell that looks like it could be a miniature tank. These tortoises have thick, sturdy limbs and claws perfect for digging, and a face that says, “I’m not in a hurry.” And they really aren’t! Gopher tortoises move at a leisurely pace, often snacking on grasses and wildflowers, enjoying life’s little pleasures without a rush. You could say they are the original slow-food enthusiasts.
Despite their chill vibe, gopher tortoises are actually key players in their ecosystem, being considered a “keystone species.” Without them, many other species would struggle to find shelter. So next time you see one, just know this little tortoise is basically an environmental hero in a hard shell.
Fun fact: when they dig, they use their front legs, which are so specialized for burrowing that they kind of look like tiny shovels. Imagine a tortoise wearing work gloves, going to town on the dirt!
They might not win any races, but gopher tortoises are definitely in the slow and steady Hall of Fame.