Page 7 - Jupiter Spotlight - January '21

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 7
Northern Notes

Gopher Tortoises active all year round, where in colder parts of Florida, he is allowed
they remain in their burrows during cold winter months. by the FWC to
By Katie Roundtree, Gopher tortoises are considered keystone species because survey, trap,
Finance Director, Northern their burrows provide shelter and serve as refuge for more transport and
Palm Beach County than 350 other species such as burrowing owls, mice, relocate tortoises
Improvement District indigo snakes, rabbits, opossums, foxes, gopher frogs as necessary.
Gopher tortoises are one and invertebrates. It is illegal
of five North American Because of their burrowing needs, they prefer well- to kill, harass
tortoise species and is drained, sandy soils found in habitats such as longleaf or destroy
the only tortoise found pine sandhills, scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies and gopher tortoises;
naturally east of the coastal dunes. They are also found in urban areas, as however, if you
Mississippi River. It is a many of their natural habitats have been developed by see a tortoise
state-designated threatened humans. A habitat with well-drained soil, abundant plants crossing a busy
species in Florida and is for foraging and open sunny areas is the ideal location road, FWC grants Photo by Lucas Schaffer, NPBCID
found in parts of all 67 for gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous permission to
Florida counties. The gopher tortoise is about nine to and feed on low growing plants. They may drink water move the gopher tortoise across the road, in the same
eleven inches long when fully grown and is a tan, brown pooled after rainstorms, but most of their water needs are direction as it was heading as long as it is safe for you
or gray color. Juveniles tend to be lighter brown and supplied from the plants that they eat. to do so. Do not move the tortoise to another location
yellow-orange in color. They are identifiable by their Locally, there are large populations of gopher tortoises or put it in a car as this constitutes illegal possession. If
stumpy, elephant-like hind feet and flattened, shovel- in preserves maintained by Northern within Abacoa and you see a sick or injured tortoise, contact a local wildlife
like forearms covered in thick scales. These shovel-like Botanica. Some of Abacoa’s preserves have trails within rehabilitator, such as Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at (561)
forearms are used to dig large burrows for homes. them where you may catch a glimpse of a tortoise. Because 575-3399 for assistance. Source: myfwc.org
As their name insinuates, gopher tortoises spend gopher tortoises are protected in Florida, handling and NPDES Tip: Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs
almost 80 percent of their time in burrows. Burrows relocation of gopher tortoises is an illegal activity unless or garden debris in swales – this adds pollutants which can
average about fifteen feet long and about six and a half conducted under a valid permit issued by Florida Fish wash into downstream waters. Do not park vehicles in the
feet deep. Gopher tortoises are ectotherms, meaning and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). An FWC swale – this compacts the soil so less runoff soaks in.
they depend on their environment to maintain their relocation permit must be obtained before disturbing
body temperature. Their burrows help to maintain a burrows and conducting construction activities. One
stable temperature and also protect them from extreme of Northern’s staff members has taken courses and is It’s The Law!
temperatures and fire. Here in south Florida, they are certified as a Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent. As such,

Get a second opinion on Did You Know That, In
Florida…
your financial health. By Adam S. Gumson, Esq.

In a FARBAR As-Is
Contract (approved by
Schedule a complimentary, face-to-face the Florida Association of
Realtors and the Florida
meeting with a Financial Advisor. Bar), the buyer agrees to
accept the property in its
existing condition without
Kevin Prazenica, AAMS® Terrence Burns, AAMS®, ChFC® Timothy Lynch the seller having to make
Senior Vice President – Investment Officer Senior Vice President – Investment Officer Financial Advisor any additional repairs
3399 PGA Blvd., Ste. 400 3399 PGA Blvd., Ste. 400 3399 PGA Blvd., Ste. 400 or improvements.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Conversely, the buyer can
Direct: 561-691-5106 Direct: 561-691-5135 Direct: 561-776-4351
kevin.prazenica@wellsfargoadvisors.com terrence.burns@wellsfargoadvisors.com timothy.lynch@wellsfargoadvisors.com back out of the deal without losing his/her deposit if a
wellsfargoadvisors.com wellsfargoadvisors.com wellsfargoadvisors.com timely inspection reveals issues for which the buyer is
unwilling to pay and for which the seller refuses to lower
the purchase price.
Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value An estate’s executor is called a personal representative
(PR). Often, the PR applies for an Employer Identification
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Number (EIN) for tax filing purposes because the person
© 2015 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. CAR-1018-02593 A1951 IHA-6693524
who died (decedent) is no longer the taxpayer – the estate
is – and, therefore, the decedent’s Social Security Number
is no longer a valid identifier.
A special needs trust provides for a disabled heir so
that he/she may enjoy the use of property that is held in
the trust for him/her without invalidating certain needs-
based government aid.
Pre-nuptial agreements are often signed by older
couples entertaining a second or third marriage so as
to protect the inheritance of their children from a prior
relationship.
Jupiter Law Center is a private neighborhood law
firm located in the RiverPlace Professional Center, 1003
W. Indiantown Road, Suite 210, Jupiter, FL, (561) 744-
4600, jupiterlawcenter.com. The firm provides peace of
mind by solving problems with integrity and compassion
in the areas of estate planning (wills and trusts, powers
of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, probate
estates, succession planning, contracts and purchase/
sale agreements), family law (divorce, paternity, child
support and time sharing, alimony, property distribution,
modifications, collaborative law, pre/post nuptial
agreements) and real estate (community association law,
residential and commercial transactions, deeds, closings).

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