Environmental Study of the Gopher Tortoise

I was in a restaurant after arriving at Ft. Pierce and heard a guy talking about how he was "almost through with the Environmental Study of the Gopher Tortoise on his property."  It seems he bought a couple of acres of land that fronted the river.  Before he could do any development he had to get a study by a Gopher Tortoise Expert...    Someone 'with special education and training' to go onto his property to look for the Gopher burrow holes.

"The gopher tortoise is legally protected throughout its range. In the western portion (Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama west of the Tombigbee River and Mobile River), it is federally listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In the eastern portion of the range (the rest of Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida), it is protected by the states, but has been designated as a Candidate species for federal listing. Protection means that tortoises cannot be directly or indirectly harmed, or interfered with in any way (including providing food, water, etc.). Permits are required to possess, study, or relocate them."

After the expert discovers how many burrows are involved and how it interferes with the planned building - development, a zoning commission decides whether to approve the plans or not.  The developer must maintain a 25' area around each burrow.  Or the land owner 'can' get approval to MOVE the tortoise.  This requires special paperwork and lots of cash and time.  (and digging)

"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."

I got quite a chuckle out of hearing all that turtle talk.  Then yesterday while out riding my bike to the grocery i went a new road and saw this sign.  I figured it was a joke by some silly neighbor.

I figured, what are the odds that i'll encounter a Gopher?  Turns out they are about 50/50 as i rounded a corner and saw a big one crossing the road.  Wow, i was face to face with an endangered species.  (why did the turtle cross the road?)  I road away and he's still out there, probably going along at his slow pace trying to beat me to the finish line!

Gopher tortoises, like other tortoises of the genus Gopherus, 

are known for their digging ability. Gopher tortoises spend most of their time in 

long burrows, up to 48 ft in length and 9.8 ft deep

It is against the law to kill, harass or destroy gopher tortoises, their eggs or burrows. If you suspect a wildlife law violation, report it to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program at 888-404-FWCC, 24-hours a day or online. You could be eligible for a reward if your information leads to an arrest.

I assure you, i did not harass or destroy anything in the taking of these photos.  I did not touch, or invade the Gophers space.  He walked his way and I rode mine.  Opposites did not attract.

-Speedy Skip