Page 5 - Jupiter West - January '21

Jupiter West, Page 5
Northern Notes

Champagne ~ ‘Not Just For New Year’s!’ Gopher Tortoises as it was heading as long as

are considered keystone species because their burrows provide
shelter and serve as refuge for more than 350 other species such as it is safe for you to do so.
By Katie Roundtree, burrowing owls, mice, indigo snakes, rabbits, opossums, foxes, Do not move the tortoise to
Finance Director, Northern gopher frogs and invertebrates. another location or put it in a
Palm Beach County Because of their burrowing needs, they prefer well-drained, car as this constitutes illegal
Improvement District sandy soils found in habitats such as longleaf pine sandhills, possession. If you see a sick
Gopher tortoises are one of scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies and coastal dunes. They are or injured tortoise, contact a
five North American tortoise also found in urban areas, as many of their natural habitats have local wildlife rehabilitator,
species and is the only tortoise been developed by humans. A habitat with well-drained soil, such as Busch Wildlife
found naturally east of the abundant plants for foraging and open sunny areas is the ideal Sanctuary at (561) 575-3399 for assistance. Source: myfwc.org
Mississippi River. It is a state- location for gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous NPDES Tip: Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs or
designated threatened species and feed on low growing plants. They may drink water pooled garden debris in swales – this adds pollutants which can wash
in Florida and is found in parts after rainstorms, but most of their water needs are supplied from into downstream waters. Do not park vehicles in the swale – this
of all 67 Florida counties. The the plants that they eat. compacts the soil so less runoff soaks in.
gopher tortoise is about nine to Locally, there are large populations of gopher tortoises in Photo by Lucas Schaffer, NPBCID
eleven inches long when fully grown and is a tan, brown or gray preserves maintained by Northern within Abacoa and Botanica.
color. Juveniles tend to be lighter brown and yellow-orange in Some of Abacoa’s preserves have trails within them where you
color. They are identifiable by their stumpy, elephant-like hind may catch a glimpse of a tortoise. Because gopher tortoises are It’s The Law!
feet and flattened, shovel-like forearms covered in thick scales. protected in Florida, handling and relocation of gopher tortoises
These shovel-like forearms are used to dig large burrows for is an illegal activity unless conducted under a valid permit
homes. issued by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Did You Know That, In
As their name insinuates, gopher tortoises spend almost 80 (FWC). An FWC relocation permit must be obtained before
percent of their time in burrows. Burrows average about fifteen disturbing burrows and conducting construction activities. One Florida…
feet long and about six and a half feet deep. Gopher tortoises of Northern’s staff members has taken courses and is certified
are ectotherms, meaning they depend on their environment to as a Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent. As such, he is allowed By Adam S. Gumson,
maintain their body temperature. Their burrows help to maintain by the FWC to survey, trap, transport and relocate tortoises as Esq.
a stable temperature and also protect them from extreme necessary. In a FARBAR As-Is
temperatures and fire. Here in south Florida, they are active It is illegal to kill, harass or destroy gopher tortoises; however, Contract (approved by
all year round, where in colder parts of Florida, they remain if you see a tortoise crossing a busy road, FWC grants permission the Florida Association of
in their burrows during cold winter months. Gopher tortoises to move the gopher tortoise across the road, in the same direction Realtors and the Florida
Bar), the buyer agrees
to accept the property
in its existing condition
Leaving Your Employer? without the seller having
Understand Your 401(k) Options. to make any additional
repairs or improvements.
At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your Conversely, the buyer can back out of the deal without losing
401(k), including leaving the money in your former his/her deposit if a timely inspection reveals issues for which
employer’s plan, moving it to your new employer’s the buyer is unwilling to pay and for which the seller refuses
plan, rolling it over to an individual Retirement to lower the purchase price.
Account (IRA) or cashing out the account subject to An estate’s executor is called a personal representative
tax consequences. (PR). Often, the PR applies for an Employer Identification
Number (EIN) for tax filing purposes because the person
To learn more, call today.
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
Sally S Stahl, AAMS® that he/she may enjoy the use of property that is held in the
Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com trust for him/her without invalidating certain needs-based
M e m b P I S r e C
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106 government aid.
Jupiter, FL 33458 Pre-nuptial agreements are often signed by older couples
561-748-7600 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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