Gopher tortoises are a medium-sized tortoise, averaging 10 inches long and around 9 pounds in weight at adult size. Their carapace is primarily a solid chocolate brown-grey black in color, and their plastron is generally a yellow or tan color. Hatchlings are lighter in color. Males are distinguished from females by their concave plastron and longer tail. It is one of only four species of tortoise native to North America.