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The width of the burrow will be approximately the
length of the builder so the tortoise can turn
around in the hall, living room or bedroom. The
longest burrow ever found was 430 feet. But none of
this ample space is wasted because opportunistic
neighbors share the dwelling.
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The interpretive sign by the burrow on the cross
path between the boardwalks, states that 36 species
could be co-habitating inside the hole. George L.
Heinrich, biologist at Boyd Hill Nature
Park, writes that there are ten times that
number and then some of different species
that seek shelter from fire or flood, cold
or heat in the convenient domicile. "At
least 363 other species have been recorded
from gopher tortoise burrows (61 vertebrates
and 302 invertebrates)." Florida mice,
cottontail and marsh rabbits, |
| raccoons, grey fox, spotted skunks,
nine-banded armadillos, opossums, rice rats,
burrowing owls, bobwhite quail, skinks,
eastern fence lizards, spadefoot toads, crawfish frogs,
gopher frogs, Florida pine snakes and indigo snakes
are just a few of the comensals - the scientific
name for these neighbors. |
The most dangerous snake in North America, the
eastern diamondback rattler, is a frequent resident.
When early Florida homesteaders used the practice of
gassing the holes to remove rattlers, they killed
the tortoise-in-residence as well.
So, what about those 300 plus invertebrates? Insects
of all kinds, like the gopher cricket, seek the
protection of the landlord's dwelling. In fact,
Janine M. Benyus tells us in The Field Guide to
Wildlife Habitats, that there are as many as 14
insect species, found nowhere else on earth, that
use this particular refugia.
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Baby Gopher Tortoises |
Gopher tortoises usually mate in April or May. The
lady lays 3-15 eggs several weeks later in sand
mounds in front of the burrow or another nearby,
sunny spot. After an average of 80 days, the clutch
(if undiscovered by predators) hatches. The
comensals (armadillo, raccoon, fox and skunk) as
well as alligators and fire ants destroy
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| more than 80%
of gopher tortoise nests. Not very
neighborly! But if they thrive, these lords
and ladies can live 40 years or more. |
Another threat to the gopher tortoise population
here in southwest Florida is the result of their
instinctual efforts to build a second home or
satellite burrow. While searching for appropriate
real estate or simply following the grass is greener
rule, they attempt to navigate across speeding
traffic. So, watch for them on the highway,
especially Burnt Store Road. If you try to help them
over, please take them in the direction that they
seem to be headed or they will lumber right back
onto the street.
When you come upon an injured gopher tortoise, you
can take them to the helpful folks at the Peace
River Wildlife Center who will take them in and
administer first aid. Visitors to Ponce De Leon Park
enjoy observing the patched-up reptiles grazing the
side yard of the center behind the fence. If the
tortoises are rehabilitated, they will be released
into the wild at the reported spot where they were
rescued. Unfortunately, there is a serious,
contagious respiratory disease attacking Florida
tortoises. Moving them out of their natural range
could spread the virus to healthy populations. So,
it is important to return the critter to his
original homeland. Come “CHEC” out a healthy
population of land turtles at Alligator Creek
Preserve. Happy Trails! 
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Monica Dorken. Thank you!
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