Page 7 - Talk of Tequesta - January '21
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The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 7



                                                              norTHern noTes




                                                          Gopher Tortoises



                                            By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District


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




















































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