U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gopher ( polyphemus)

Gopher are they have a low reproductive rate. Only currently protected about three to five percent of the young by federal law under tortoises typically survive. They lay their the Endangered eggs at the entrance of their burrows to Act (ESA) in capture the heat, which makes it easy for the Alabama counties predators like opossums and raccoons to west of the Mobile eat them. and Tombigbee Rivers and in Mississippi Primarily herbivorous creatures, gopher and Louisiana. The tortoises eat grasses, mushrooms, saw eastern portion of the palmetto berries, and prickly pear gopher tortoise’s range cactus pads, fruits and flowers, as well as includes Alabama blackberries, blueberries, gopher apples (east of the Tombigbee and other low-growing fruits. and Mobile Rivers), Gopher tortoises spread seeds of many , , plants in their droppings, filling another and southern South important role in the ecosystem. Gopher Carolina. In these tortoises need relatively deep, sandy, Foraging gopher tortoise areas, the gopher soils in which to burrow and open sunny tortoise is now a candidate species for sites for nesting. They thrive in longleaf Gopher tortoises are dry-land possible listing later under the ESA. In pine forests, and enjoy the same type of that usually live in the western range states, west of the habitat as the endangered red-cockaded Tombigbee River in Alabama, Mississippi, woodpecker. relatively well-drained, sandy and Louisiana, it will continue to be listed soils generally associated with as threatened under the ESA. and dry oak Life History Gopher tortoises grow to be up to 15 sandhills. They also live in scrub, inches long and weigh from eight to 15 dry hammock, pine flatwoods, pounds. With their strong elephant- like back legs and front feet specialized dry prairie, coastal grasslands for digging, they are well-adapted to burrowing. The burrows provide gopher and dunes, mixed hardwood-pine tortoises with protection from predators communities, and a variety of and from the elements by maintaining a fairly constant environment inside. They habitats that have been disturbed are most active in the warmer months but or altered by man, such as power spend most of their lives in their burrows. Each tortoise will dig and use many line rights-of-way, and along burrows throughout the active season. roadsides. The burrows can vary from three to 52 feet long and nine to 23 feet deep. Their burrows also provide refuge for Gopher Tortoise about 360 other species throughout its Range Map range. Some of those species include indigo , black pine snakes, gopher frogs, Florida mice, foxes, skunks, SC GA opossums, rabbits, quail, armadillos, AL burrowing owls, snakes, lizards, frogs, MS toads, and many . Several of the “tenants” are also legally-protected LA species adding to the burrows’ value to FL the ecosystem. Gopher tortoises can live up to 80 years Federally listed threatened in the wild and more than 100 years in Remainder of range captivity. They are slow to reach sexual Planted longleaf pine seedling still in the maturity — at 10 to 20 years old — and grass stage. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Threats Landowners can really help! is a significant More than 80 percent of gopher tortoise threat to gopher tortoises. Threats habitat is in private or corporate hands, to the gopher tortoise also include and we really need your help identifying and degradation, the status of gopher tortoises on your predation, inadequacy of regulatory land to better assess populations and mechanisms, and incompatible use of trends. Fire helps maintain good habitat herbicides in forest management and conditions for tortoises. If your land some silvicultural activities. is primarily in silviculture (pine tree farming), you can help gopher tortoises Gopher tortoises need large parcels of by prescribed burning and tree thinning undeveloped land not fragmented by to achieve the open habitat that tortoises roads, buildings, parking lots, and other need. structures. Such barriers in natural habitat limit food availability and burrow A densely planted stand is not healthy space for tortoises plus expose them to for gopher tortoises, as too many trees closer contact with humans and their reduces sunlight that reaches the forest vehicles. Road kill is one of the major floor, which reduces the grassy ground causes of death for adult tortoises. And, cover needed to survive. although removing gopher tortoises from their homes is against the law, they are so Back burning longleaf pines easy to catch that some people continue to kill and eat them or keep them as pets. and corridors and wildlife tunnels in and around developments. Encourage local How can anyone help? governments to require listed species No matter where you live, you can surveys and proof of issuance of required help gopher tortoises by working with wildlife permits before they issue clearing agencies to manage tortoise habitat. or building permits. Last, but not least, Work with local, county and state elected help your friends and neighbors learn officials to set aside habitat for wildlife about this species and the many other and, when compatible, humans’ recreation fascinating and plants found in and enjoyment. Ask for green spaces your area.

Gopher tortoise calling it a day.

Please be sure to consult your state forestry office to get necessary information and permits. In natural sandhill habitat, prescribed burning is recommended every three to five years. In palmetto flatwoods habitat, more frequent burns may be necessary. If you can’t burn to rejuvenate tortoise habitat, regularly mow, clear out woody shrubs, and thin trees. To learn more about gopher tortoises, and what we are doing to protect please visit us at http://www.fws.gov/southeast. All photos credit Randy Browning/ USFWS.

Well managed longleaf pine with good understory