How deep is a gopher tortoise burrow?
The life of a gopher tortoise revolves around its burrow(s) where gopher tortoises spend up to 80% of their time. Burrows average 15 feet long and 6.5 feet deep, though they have been documented reaching up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep.
How long do gopher tortoises stay in their burrows?
Nesting occurs only on warm, sunny days [85]. Hatching and emergence of young from the nest typically occur from August through October [7]. A gopher tortoise may spend as much as 80% of its time (or about 19 hours/day) in its burrow [7].
Why does the gopher tortoise burrow?
The burrows provide gopher tortoises with protection from predators and from the elements by maintaining a fairly constant environment inside. They are most active in the warmer months but spend most of their lives in their burrows. Each tortoise will dig and use many burrows throughout the active season.
Do gopher tortoises abandon their burrows?
gopher tortoise burrows within mature slash pine plantations in southcentral Alabama. Active burrows were created within the last 0.5-5.0 years, and abandoned burrows were abandoned within the last 1-4 years.
Is it illegal to touch a gopher turtle?
You may not touch or disturb a Gopher Tortoise or Gopher Tortoise burrow (Active or Inactive) except by permit issued by the director of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission! Protected Species Violations will be Prosecuted!
What is a gopher tortoise burrow?
Active gopher tortoise burrows are easily identified by their classic flat bottomed, high domed appearance and characteristic area of excavated soil in front of the opening called the apron. Tortoise burrows gently slope down, whereas mammal burrows usually slope straight down.
What is the fine for killing a gopher turtle?
$5,000
Florida law prohibits any person from killing or wounding gopher tortoises, which are protected as threatened in the state. Violating the law is a third-degree felony and punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.
Is it illegal to touch a gopher tortoise?
A: Yes gopher tortoises have received protected status. As such, the gopher tortoise may not be handled without a permit.
Is it illegal to pick up a gopher tortoise?
If a gopher tortoise chooses to burrow on it’s own and live in your yard you could think of it as having a gopher tortoise as a pet, but you must not confine, harass or domesticate a gopher tortoise. Keeping gopher tortoise as pets is illegal unless you have a permit.
Why are gopher tortoises important to the environment?
The gopher tortoise is a keystone species, meaning that it’s very important to the health of the ecosystem it inhabits. Gopher tortoise burrows provide shelter to hundreds of different animals, ranging from frogs to owls and even endangered indigo snakes.
How do you know if a gopher tortoise burrow is active?
Habitat occupied by gopher tortoises is generally represented as a 2.5-acre area with a radius of 186 feet around any active burrow. A burrow is considered active if the burrow apron is maintained and has fresh dirt, tracks, or scat.
Is it safe to pick up a gopher tortoise?
Gopher tortoises are a federally protected species. Current Florida state regulations clearly indicate that it is illegal to handle or disturb gopher tortoises or to bother their burrows. It is best, however, to leave the tortoise to feed on its own.
What are the gopher tortoises predators?
Predators of the Gopher Tortoise: Gopher tortoises face danger from nest predators, which include foxes, raccoons, skunks, fire ants, and armadillos. Burrows help to protect the baby tortoises from these predators. Baby gopher tortoises are vulnerable until about 6 to 7 years of age which is when their shell finally hardens.
How much does a gopher tortoise weigh?
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a cold-blooded reptile that averages 25 cm (10 in.) long and 4 kg (9 lb.) in weight.
Where is the gopher tortoise?
The gopher tortoises live in the southern United States from California ‘s Mojave Desert across to Florida, and in parts of northern Mexico. Gopher tortoises are so named because of their ability to dig large, deep burrows; those of the Gopher tortoise can be up to 40 feet (12 m) in length and 10 feet (3.0 m) in depth.
Who is a gopher tortoise predator?
Predators •Because gopher tortoises are so big and have a shell for protection, they are most vulnerable to predators as eggs or young hatchlings. •Predators include skunks, armadillos, foxes, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, dogs, snakes, birds, red ants, and alligators.