Gopher Tortoise

long leaf pine forest adult

Welcome to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gopher tortoise Web page, providing information about the gopher tortoise biology, management, permitting, and research. Our goal is to be your source for information on conserving Florida's gopher tortoises.

Gopher tortoises are long-lived reptiles that occupy upland habitat throughout Florida including forests, pastures, and yards. They dig deep burrows for shelter and forage on low-growing plants. Gopher tortoises share these burrows with more than 350 other species, and are therefore referred to as a keystone species. Conservation of gopher tortoises depends not only on the efforts of FWC and other conservation groups, but also on Florida's citizens. There are many ways to co-exist with these gentle lands tortoises. For more information on gopher tortoises please visit the Education corner.

Browse around with the links on the left to look for:

general biological information including habitat and natural history
educational brochures and booklets available for download
frequently asked questions
conservation and management in Florida
news & updates
permitting options for relocating tortoises
opportunities for private landowners
rules and regulations

In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as Threatened. Both the tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law. Gopher tortoises must be relocated before any land clearing or development takes place, and property owners must obtain permits from the FWC before capturing and relocating tortoises. Applications for permits are available on the FWC gopher tortoise online permitting site. Online applications are preferred to facilitate a faster review process. Before applying for a permit, please review the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines or visit the individual permit webpages by following the links on the right side of your coputer screen.

For answers to specific gopher tortoise questions, refer to our frequently asked questions. To view relocation permits, find an authorized gopher tortoise agent, or find a recipient site, access our online locator map. If you require additional assistance, please contact the FWC regional conservation biologist nearest you.

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