Q: Are gopher tortoises an endangered species?
A: Gopher tortoises have received protected status (click here for details). As such, the gopher tortoise may not be handled without a permit. Any tortoise problems or violations can be referred to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, or FWCC, for resolution.
www.gophertortoise.org/tortoise/faqs.htm
further down the same page:
2) If your goal is to coexist with and be more accommodating to the tortoise(s) on your property, we are currently working on a management module to assist you. For now, here are a few tips: The burrow(s) must be protected from being collapsed, and care needs to be taken that people or vehicles do not fall into or collapse the burrow. For tortoises in your yard, providing additional food usually is not necessary and is not recommended. It is usually done because people like to watch the tortoise feeding. It is best, however, to leave the tortoise to feed on its own. Gopher tortoises exhibit very complex foraging behavior carefully selecting certain foods from over 280 species according to subtle internal cues. Unnaturally providing attractive foods but not necessarily the ones the tortoise needs could give it a full belly that makes it lazy and keeps it from going out to forage properly, perhaps missing the nutrients required for optimal health. Nonetheless if you would like to provide food, there are some simple rules, which should be followed. Be sure to review the threats to tortoises, to better protect them. Roadways, dogs, children, chemicals, and pesticides are among those potentially hazardous to the tortoise(s) in your yard if care is not taken.
Palmetto ( between St Petersburg and Sarasota) YEAH FLORIDA! hope everyone is ready for the cold weather coming!!
