WHAT ARE THE STANDARD Seminole Tribe of Florida PROTECTION MEASURES THAT ARE Environmental Resource REQUIRED? Management Department

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is required by the Federal Endangered Species Act to abide by standard measures adopted to protect this threatened tortoise: Gopher Tortoise 1. A gopher tortoise protection/education Gopherus polyphemus plan has been developed which requires WHO DO YOU CONTACT IF YOU training for all construction crews. SEE A GOPHER TORTOISE ON

2. A qualified observer/biologist will be THE RESERVATION? on-site for notification by construction personnel if a potential gopher tortoise CONTACT YOUR DIRECT is sighted. SUPERVISOR

You may also contact:: 3. If a gopher tortoise is found on the

construction site, all activity must cease Seminole Tribe of Florida’s immediately, the qualified observer Wildlife Biologist must be notified, and the tortoise Phone: 863-902-3249 x13411 allowed to move away from any Cell: 954-410-7073 dangerous area on its own.

Protecting Tribal Resources

WHAT IS A GOPHER WHAT DO THEIR BURROWS LOOK WHY ARE GOPHER TORTOISES LIKE? IMPORTANT? TORTOISE? Gopher tortoise burrows provide homes for over 360 various species, including the Feder- ally threatened Eastern indigo snake. Addi- tionally the gopher tortoise is a culturally im- portant species to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is therefore identified as a species that is to be conserved under their wildlife management plan.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE A Frequently the tortoise itself will not be seen, GOPHER TORTOISE OR AN INDIGO  Land turtle however, you may tell if a gopher tortoise SNAKE? lives in the area by identifying their burrows.  Herbivore; eats only vegetation  Mound of lighter colored sand at the en-  Averages 9-11 inches in length trance created when the tortoise excavates its burrow  Characteristic stumpy, elephant-like  The top of the burrow will have a half hind feet and flattened, shovel-like moon appearance and the bottom may be forelimbs adapted for digging flat which is also the shape of the tortoise  Debris can often cover the entrance to an  Oblong shell; generally a tan, brown, active burrow or gray color  Burrows can be well hidden: under roots of vegetation and among vines  Live in sandy dry upland areas If you encounter a tortoise, burrow, or indigo snake, avoid all contact. If you are  Dig burrows up to 15 feet long driving a vehicle or heavy equipment, stop, which are also used by other species cease operation and allow the snake and/or tortoise to move out of the area. Do not harass the snake or tortoise in any way. If you encounter an indigo snake, gopher tortoise Gopher tortoises are listed as a or burrow please contact your supervisor or threatened species by the number at the back of this pamphlet and the State of Florida due to the rapid report the location and circumstances. decline in numbers resulting from development and loss of habitat.