Gopher Tortoise: Facts, Films, Conservation Efforts, and Research

Currently the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is caring for eighteen gopher tortoise hatchlings from the wild. Gopher tortoise shells are covered in scutes that are made of keratin, like our fingernails, and should be a hard protective material but for an unknown cause all of these hatchlings are exhibiting soft, pliable shells. To help harden their shells we provide them with proper lighting, routine calcium injections, soak them in warm water baths, and add cuttlebone, a natural calcium supplement,

Gopher tortoises do so much for our ecosystems, which is why we’re starting our biggest gopher tortoise habitat enhancement project yet! 🐢 💪 Gopher tortoises need open-canopy, sandy habitats with low grasses and vegetation. In Florida, these habitats are in decline, so we’re making a few of our own! Join us as we clear overgrown vegetation, plant native species, and restore habitat for gopher tortoises on our preserve lands this fall and winter by signing up to volunteer with us: https://sccf.

20 reactions · 4 comments | A quiet moment with a gopher tortoise, one of Florida’s most important and protected species. These gentle animals shape the ecosystem by creating burrows that shelter dozens of other creatures, making them true keystone residents of the wild. #gophertortoise #floridawildlife #keystonespecies #natureencounter #protectedwildlife #floridanature #wildflorida #slowandsteady #outdoorobservations #naturemoments | Florida World Nature | Facebook