Gopher Tortoise chowing down
North America’s largest land turtle
Florida’s only true tortoise
Range: SC, FL, GA, AL, MS, & LA
They are protected in all six states where they are found.
Their burrows range from 5’ to 40’ in length with the average about 15'
The temperature and humidity remains constant in the burrows year round
Gopher Tortoises spend about 80% of their lives underground
365 other species use their burrows for finding food, shelter from fire and predators, and protection from the elements (heat, cold, drought). There was an 80 acre lightning started fire on Egmont Key in July of 2016. No Gopher Tortoises were lost as they went into their burrows and the fire burned right over the top of them.
This safe that was in the Administration Bldg of Ft Dade back in the day showed up after the fire burned the debris that had been covering it for decades.
No comments:
Post a Comment