The gopher tortoise is the only land tortoise native to the Southeast, living in longleaf pine savannahs of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a species of turtle in the family Testudinidae.The species is native to the southeastern United States.The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for at least 360 other animal species. Keeping gopher tortoise as pets is illegal unless you have a permit. Gopher Tortoise. Pet Gopher tortoises may not be harmed but they are not able to mate and this can mean serious population declines. Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - ii - Insert: Permitting Guidelines Revisions History September 2008 Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent requirements were revised (pages 10 - 13); Revisions to the following sections have been made: definition of “gopher tortoise https://myfwc.com › wildlifehabitats › profiles › reptiles › gopher-tortoise Threats to the gopher tortoise also include habitat fragmentation and degradation, predation, inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms, and incompatible use of herbicides in forest management and some silvicultural activities. Megan will get the local Game Warden to contact you to set up an inspection. Most are not very knowledgeable about tortoises, they will just go down a list. G. polyphemus is threatened by predation and habitat destruction.. Habitat destruction is a significant threat to gopher tortoises. If construction activity results in the take of a gopher tortoise, or if construction activity for which a FWC permit was not otherwise required results in the take of a gopher tortoise burrow designated for preservation, as described If a gopher tortoise chooses to burrow on it's own and live in your yard you could think of it as having a gopher tortoise as a pet, but you must not confine, harass or domesticate a gopher tortoise. approved FWC or county permit. Gopher tortoises make terrible captive pets- their care includes the need to make rather big burrows and they just generally do not do well in captivity. Since gopher tortoises are a threatened species, both the tortoises and their burrows are protected under state law and must be left alone. The quiz must be taken and passed with 100% correct answers and the certificate attached to the Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent permit amendment application. If you have a gopher tortoise on your property, keep pets or children away from its burrow. Currently, road deaths are probably the most common way that humans cause the death of Gopher tortoises. 2.) You can help by adding tortoise-friendly plants that it can eat. (2) Gopher tortoises and burrows damaged during construction. Gopher Tortoise Reinstatement Quiz Please contact the Gopher Tortoise Program at (850) 921-1031 or GTPermits@myfwc.com if you need the enrollment key or if you have any questions. Gopher tortoises have been poached in the past for meat, but now are more commonly poached for pets. The gopher tortoise dwells in pine forests with deep, well drained soils and an open understory that provides food and nesting sites. You will need to build outdoor enclosures that are secure from any animals, including pet dogs and cats. capture operations, contact the Gopher Tortoise Permit Coordinator ¶s office by calling 850 -921 -1031. 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