The Tortoise or the Hare???
Posted 03-01-2017 at 08:10 AM by llrivero
The Gopher Tortoise is a protected species. They are listed on the Endangered Species Act. I am sure you have seen the signs in your neighborhoods or out on the main road ways to slow down and watch for them. If you see one crossing the road... and it is safe to do so... please help it cross the road in the direction it was crossing. But, by no means put yourself in harms way to do so!
Gopher tortoises grow to be up to 15 inches long and weigh from eight to 15 pounds. With their strong elephant-like back legs and front feet specialized for digging, they are well-adapted to burrowing. The burrows provide gopher tortoises with protection from predators. 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. The burrows can vary from three to 52 feet long and nine to 23 feet deep. Can you imagine that little creature digging that big of a tunnel?????
These little guys live up to 80 years!!! They have a low repoductive rate.. they don't reach maturity until they are about 20 years old. They tend to lay their eggs at the edge of their burrow which makes them prone to being eaten by raccoons.
The challenge for them and us is that they are facing extinction by our own development. If you purchase a parcel of land with a burrow on it..... you MUST file for a permit and not always granted.. but the permit will allow for the tortoise to be relocated. Which is done by a trained professional and will cost about $2500 to have this process completed. But, it must be done before you can build. If you are lucky enough to purchase a prebuilt home with one on the property... enjoy him/her from a distance. Don't disturb the tortoise... and you can help by placing plantings in your gardens that are native to Florida. The tortoise will appreciate it... and you will get to enjoy watching your new neighbor enjoying the snacks.
Watch out for our friends!
Gopher tortoises grow to be up to 15 inches long and weigh from eight to 15 pounds. With their strong elephant-like back legs and front feet specialized for digging, they are well-adapted to burrowing. The burrows provide gopher tortoises with protection from predators. 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. The burrows can vary from three to 52 feet long and nine to 23 feet deep. Can you imagine that little creature digging that big of a tunnel?????
These little guys live up to 80 years!!! They have a low repoductive rate.. they don't reach maturity until they are about 20 years old. They tend to lay their eggs at the edge of their burrow which makes them prone to being eaten by raccoons.
The challenge for them and us is that they are facing extinction by our own development. If you purchase a parcel of land with a burrow on it..... you MUST file for a permit and not always granted.. but the permit will allow for the tortoise to be relocated. Which is done by a trained professional and will cost about $2500 to have this process completed. But, it must be done before you can build. If you are lucky enough to purchase a prebuilt home with one on the property... enjoy him/her from a distance. Don't disturb the tortoise... and you can help by placing plantings in your gardens that are native to Florida. The tortoise will appreciate it... and you will get to enjoy watching your new neighbor enjoying the snacks.
Watch out for our friends!
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