Gopher tortoises are a familiar sight at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, munching on grass along the road’s shoulders and occasionally crossing roads. In this edition of the “Our Refuge” series, we look at the gopher tortoise’s biology and life history, and discover their place in the big picture of ecological diversity at Kennedy. Visit Gopher Tortoise Council and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gopher tortoise webpage for more information.
Wildlife ecologist Becky Bolt recently answered questions about these residents at the Florida spaceport and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. She works for Integrated Mission Support Services as part of NASA’s Kennedy Environmental and Medical Contract (KEMCON).
Why are they called gopher tortoises?
The gopher tortoise’s real (Latin) name is Gopherus polyphemus. Polyphemus was the legendary cave-dwelling Cyclops from the “Iliad,” and the name was chosen as the species designation in 1802. Gopherus it was first used in 1816 to describe all North American tortoises. It is derived from the word gopher, which is commonly used to characterize burrowing animals.
How long have gopher tortoises been around?
The gopher tortoise belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America approximately 60 million years ago, making it one of the oldest known living species.
Where do gopher tortoises live?
The historic geographic range of the gopher tortoise was the southeastern coastal plain from the southwest tip of South Carolina to easternmost Louisiana, including Florida. Land development has fragmented the former range into many smaller parcels so that populations are no longer contiguous and are isolated from one another.
What kinds of habitats do they need?
Because they are burrowing animals, they require high, dry habitats such as scrub and scrubby flatwoods. They also feed in lower elevation areas that have an abundance of short grasses and herbs, so uplands and wetlands in close proximity provide excellent conditions. Gopher tortoises occur in large numbers along the Kennedy coastline as well, where the dune habitat is high, but supports low-growing herbaceous vegetation. Tortoises often are found in man-made environments around facilities, right-of-ways, and along roadsides where consistent mowing provides food.
How long can they live?
Gopher tortoises can live up to 80 years in the wild and longer than in captivity.
What is a gopher tortoise burrow like?
The tortoise digs a burrow by pushing dirt behind it with its powerful front legs and claws, packing the dirt above and below with its shell. As it digs, the sand blasts out of the hole like a geyser. The tunnel goes into the ground at about a 45 degree angle and is typically 15 to 20 feet long, although they can be much longer, depending on the habitat and specific situation. The tunnel is usually straight or with slight curves, but can occasionally have sharp turns and even branches. At the end of the tunnel is a cavity just wide enough for the tortoise to turn around in, and there is only one way in and out.
Why is the tortoise burrow such a big deal?
The burrow has many functions and each tortoise typically has several burrows within its home range. The burrow provides protection for the tortoise from weather, fire and predators. Because they are reptiles and cold-blooded, the tortoise can move up and down the burrow tunnel in order to find that perfect spot with the best temperature, allowing them to control their body temperature. Gopher tortoise burrows also provide shelter to more than 360 species of invertebrates and vertebrate wildlife, several of which are federally listed (eg, eastern indigo snake and southeastern beach mouse). Because of the importance of the burrow to an entire community of species, the gopher tortoise has been called a “keystone species,” indicating that when tortoises disappear from an area, the entire ecosystem is changed, and not for the better.
Are they legally protected?
Gopher tortoises are legally protected throughout their range. In Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and most of Alabama, they are protected by state regulations as a Threatened species. In Louisiana, Mississippi and westernmost Alabama, they are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 2011, the US Fish and Wildlife Service added gopher tortoises from the entire range to the list of Candidate species for possible protection under the ESA.
State and federal regulations make it illegal to kill, injure, relocate, keep or interfere with tortoises or their burrows in any way (even providing food or water). This protection includes actions of children and pets. If you observe tortoises or burrows being harmed by development or individuals, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wildlife hotline at 888-404-3922. You can remain anonymous.
Am I breaking the law if a tortoise is living in my yard or on my property?
If the tortoise is there of its own accord and you are not hindering its movement or preventing it from leaving, not only are you within the law, you are lucky!
What should I do if I see an injured tortoise on Kennedy Space Center?
Please immediately call the Duty Office at 321-861-5050. They will contact the appropriate people to take care of the situation.
