The gopher tortoise is not only a keystone species, but also an endemic species, making it special and important to the overall function of the ecosystems where it is found. In this episode we will explore the life of the gopher tortoise including some basic identification information, population status, biology, and things you can to do help populations in Florida.

New Episode from Naturally Florida

Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here) recently released a new episode about Florida’s gopher tortoises.

Check it out, below on Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform.

If you enjoyed this episode about the gopher tortoise, please consider sharing it with a friend.

You can find all the podcast platforms where Naturally Florida is published, submit feedback, or request future topics at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com

Learn more about the Gopher Tortoise:

• Watch our webinar: https://youtu.be/1QhwxOb0Cb4 
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Gopher Tortoise Program: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/ 
• The Gopher Tortoise Council – https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/gopher-tortoise 

How You Can Help Florida’s Gopher Tortoises:

• Help get them out of the road – Place them on the side of the road in the direction they were heading (Note: Do not place them in water)
• Avoid disturbing gopher tortoise burrows (this includes pets)
• Add native forage species to your yard – https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/help/plant-guide/
• Support prescribed burning in your area to support the ecosystems that support gopher tortoises
• Support longleaf pine restoration efforts wherever possible
• Find out what to do if you find a gopher tortoise near you (injured, healthy, or deceased): https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/tortoise-sightings/

Sources for this Episode:

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Gopher Tortoise Education: https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/gopher-tortoise/
• Fire Effects Information System – Species: Gopherus polyphemus – https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/animals/reptile/gopo/all.html

Learn about other episodes from Naturally Florida by Clicking Here.

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