Meet the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Gopher tortoises are an important part of the Scrub ecosystem. They act like engineers, digging burrows that change the landscape and provide homes for other native species such as indigo snakes and Florida mice. Gopher Tortoise burrows are safe places that other animals depend on during the regular fires in the Scrub. 📸: Anna Crocitto | Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

April 10th is Gopher Tortoise Day! The Gopher Tortoise is considered a threatened species and is protected under state law in Florida. They descended from a land tortoise that lived in North America 60 million years ago, making them one of the oldest living species in North America! Gopher tortoises are a keystone species, making them important for their environments. Their burrows help provide shelter for over 350 other species. The animals that benefit from their burrows are called Gopher Tort

Florida Box Turtles & Gopher Tortoise (True Natives)

Hostile Planet - Strength in Numbers: Sea Turtles