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THE GOPHER TORTOISE:

THE GOPHER TORTOISE:. A SPECIES IN DECLINE. “working to conserve the gopher tortoise and the fascinating world in which it lives”. Acknowledgements. The following people generously donated photographs or slides for this presentation:

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THE GOPHER TORTOISE:

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  1. THE GOPHER TORTOISE: A SPECIES IN DECLINE “working to conserve the gopher tortoise and the fascinating world in which it lives”

  2. Acknowledgements The following people generously donated photographs or slides for this presentation: Joan D. Berish, C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., George L. Heinrich, Sharon Hermann, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Lee County Parks & Recreation, Barry Mansell, Jessica McGuire, Henry Mushinsky, Lora L. Smith • Developed by Laura Wewerka and Lora L. Smith • Updated by Jessica L. McGuire

  3. The Gopher Tortoise(Gopherus polyphemus)

  4. Geographic Range of theGopher Tortoise

  5. Legal Status Alabama- state listed as Protected; federally listed as Threatened west of the Tombigbee and Mobile Rivers. Florida- state listed as Threatened . Georgia- state listed as Threatened. Louisiana- state and federally listed as Threatened. Mississippi- state listed as Endangered; federally listed as Threatened. South Carolina- state listed as Endangered. Eastern populations- candidate species for listing under the ESA

  6. Longleaf Pine Sandhill

  7. Scrub

  8. Pine Flatwoods

  9. Coastal Dunes

  10. Disturbed Sites

  11. The Ecological Role of Fire Promotes diversity Cycles nutrients Alleviates risk of wildfire Regeneration after fire

  12. Striped Newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus)

  13. Sand Skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)

  14. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker(Picoides borealis)

  15. Sherman’s Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani)

  16. The Gopher Tortoise Burrow

  17. Adaptations for Burrowing Hind foot Forefoot

  18. Burrow Associates

  19. Gopher Frog(Ranacapito)

  20. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

  21. Florida Mouse(Podomys floridana)

  22. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake(Crotalus adamanteus)

  23. Life History of theGopher Tortoise • Average length: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) • Females slightly larger than males • Slow growing • Can live more than 60 years

  24. Growth in Gopher Tortoises

  25. Sexual Dimorphismin Gopher Tortoises Female Male

  26. Courtship

  27. Nesting

  28. Nest Predation

  29. Hatchling Gopher Tortoises • Hatchlings are 1-2 inches long (25-30 cm) • Use adult burrows or excavate their own • Soft shell renders them vulnerable to predators

  30. Food Plants Stingingnettle Prickly pear cactus Wiregrass

  31. Home Range Size • Adult Females: 0.2 – 1.4 ac (0.1 – 0.6 ha) • Adult Males: 1.1 – 3.2 ac (0.4 – 1.3 ha) • Juveniles (<4 yrs): 0.02 – 0.9 ac (0.01 – 0.4 ha)

  32. Why Gopher Tortoise Populations are in Decline:Problems and a Few Solutions

  33. Roads

  34. Domestic Dogs

  35. Upper RespiratoryTract Disease (URTD) • Symptoms • Clear or white nasal discharge • Watery eyes • Swollen eyelids

  36. The Danger: Asymptomatic Tortoises

  37. Habitat Loss Development Forestry Practices Mining Agriculture

  38. Invasive Species

  39. Gopher Tortoises and Roads • Direct effects: • habitat loss • mortality • Indirect effects: • habitat fragmentation • artificial habitat

  40. Habitat Degradation

  41. Options • Avoid impacting burrows- flag burrows before timber harvest • Set aside on-site preserves/on-site relocation • Relocate tortoises off-site • Pay attention to road bankings/ slopes • Incidental Take/ Mitigation Banking- Florida • Protect (and manage) habitat off-site

  42. Gopher Tortoise Relocation • THE GOOD • Saves individuals • Restocking • Increased knowledge of tortoise movements

  43. Gopher Tortoise Relocation • THE BAD… AND THE UGLY • Net loss of habitat • Tortoises often leave relocation site • Disruption of resident populations • Labor intensive/costly • Transmission of disease • Diverts conservation funds

  44. The Future

  45. Land Management:the Use of Prescribed Fire

  46. Creative Conservation at Work • The Nature Conservancy- habitat acquisition and land stewardship • Mitigation Banking • County-wide land conservation measures • Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative • Tortoise Reserve Program

  47. What You Can Do • Landscape with native plant species (many are food plants of gopher tortoises) • Become active in conservation organizations that promote habitat protection and management • Be a watch dog for tortoises • Write to your local politicians about issues that affect tortoises and their habitat • Vote!

  48. What to do if You Find a Stray Tortoise • On roads, move tortoise to nearest habitat (preferably in direction it was heading) - BEWARE OF TRAFFIC! • If sick or injured, contact your local Game Commission or Department of Natural Resources “Hands off” unless:

  49. The Mission of the Gopher Tortoise Council • Education • Habitat protection • Research

  50. For More Information: • Visit our web site: www.gophertortoisecouncil.org • “Like” us on facebook! • Write to us at the following address: Gopher Tortoise Council c/o Florida Museum of Natural History P.O. Box 117800 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-7800

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