Gopher Tortoise

By Gustavo Ortiz Vega

Field Technician 

​Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
 
These reptiles are one of five species of tortoises found in North America, and is the only one found east of the Mississippi river.  They enjoy areas with an open canopy, diverse ground cover, and well drained soils for them to make their signature burrows. You can distinguish them from other animal burrows by their half-moon shape and surrounded by a sand apron. They are home builders for many species as burrows they abandon become new nests and hiding spots for other species. They use them to hide from predators, hibernate during the winter, and as a nest.

​Unfortunately, they are threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation due to increasing urbanization. The gopher tortoise has some form of state-level protection in each state which it occurs and is a State-designated Threatened species in Florida. If you have any potential habitat for them, or even burrows, its good to check if there are any tortoises calling your property home too.


​We at Verde offer complete gopher tortoise surveys, offering detailed results on the habitat, location of the burrows, and appropriate permits you would need to move forward with potential construction. ​

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