The Florida Gopher Tortoise

Gopher tortoises are so named because of their ability to dig large, deep burrows. These burrows are widely used by other species throughout the ecosystem, making gopher tortoises a keystone species with a pivotal role to play in their native community.

Whether you live in the Daytona Beach area or are just visiting, it is good to know a bit about this keystone reptile that is severely endangered. 

Gopher tortoises are herbivores.  They eat grasses, the flowers, fruits and leaves of herbaceous plants and shrubs. Because they get water from plants and dew, tortoises rarely drink water.

Gopher tortoises grow to be up to 15 inches long and weigh from eight to 15 pounds.They can live up to 80 years in the wild. They are slow to reach sexual maturity — at 10 to 20 years old — and have a low reproductive rate. In the spring, gopher tortoises’ mating season. Only about three to five percent of the young tortoises typically survive.

The Threatened Tortoise

Gopher tortoises are a threatened wildlife species and are protected by state law. They must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place, and property owners must obtain permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before they can move them. It is against the law to kill, harass or destroy gopher tortoises, their eggs or burrows.

The majority of the remaining gopher tortoises are in the state of Florida where the population was estimated in 2003 to be under 800,000, but in steep decline.

 What to know about gopher tortoises when you live near their habitats.

Gopher tortoises are commonly seen in suburban areas around Florida. If a gopher tortoise is living in your yard, take the opportunity to learn about this threatened species and how to conserve it. Here are a few tips:

They generally feed within 160 feet of their burrows.

Grow plants native to Florida in your yard, since nonnative plants can be harmful to Florida’s biodiversity. A Florida Guide to Gopher Tortoise Friendly Plants provides a list of tortoise-friendly plants, many which can be found at your local native nursery.

Leave the tortoise alone and keep dogs and children away from the tortoise and its burrow.

If possible, avoid mowing, digging, driving over or otherwise disturbing the area right around the burrow. Trimming of grass or weeds right around the burrow can be done using a weed trimmer.

Never block the burrow opening which could prevent its exit or entrance.

If you find a sick or injured gopher tortoise, you can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's toll-free Wildlife Alert hotline at (888)404-3922.

Conserving the gopher tortoise is important for all of Florida’s fauna and flora. 

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