Why are gopher tortoises considered animals?

Gopher tortoises are considered animals because they meet the criteria that define animals in the biological classification system.

Here's why:

* They are multicellular organisms: They are made up of many cells organized into tissues and organs.

* They are eukaryotic: Their cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

* They are heterotrophic: They obtain their nutrition by consuming other organisms (plants, fungi, insects).

* They are capable of movement: They can move around their environment using their legs.

* They can reproduce sexually: They reproduce by mating and laying eggs.

In summary, gopher tortoises exhibit all the characteristics that define animals, making them undeniably part of the animal kingdom.