Welcome to Tortoiseville: A Home for Gopher Tortoises at The Great Outdoors

 

About a decade ago, a resident of The Great Outdoors (TGO) recognized something special—our community is home to a resident population of Gopher Tortoises, a species that’s becoming increasingly rare. A group of these tortoises had taken up residence near the Dog Walk Cart Path by Baytree Drive. However, their habitat was being disturbed by heavy equipment accessing utility easements.

 

That’s when resident Sandy Juba stepped in. Thanks to her efforts, this area was designated as a Protected Gopher Tortoise Habitat. Over time, however, invasive plants like Brazilian pepper and Guinea grass began to take over, degrading the space for the tortoises.

 

In late 2021, TGO residents rallied once again—this time to restore the area and give the tortoises a better future. Volunteers logged hundreds of hours clearing invasive species and planting native vegetation. And it’s working—the tortoises are thriving! During this time, TGO NatureScape Inc., a nonprofit educational organization, was founded to lead the project. The revitalized habitat is now affectionately known as "Tortoiseville".

 

Ongoing Restoration and How You Can Help
The work at Tortoiseville is far from finished. Ongoing habitat management is essential, and we welcome both volunteers and donors. To get involved, please contact us.

 

What is a Gopher Tortoise?

Gopher Tortoises are land-dwelling turtles and Florida’s only native tortoise. Unlike their aquatic cousins—like snapping turtles or softshell turtles—Gopher Tortoises avoid water and prefer dry, upland habitats. They are one of five tortoise species in North America and the only one found east of the Mississippi River.

 

Where Do They Live?

Gopher Tortoises are found throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain, from eastern Louisiana to southern South Carolina and across Florida. They thrive in sandy, well-drained soils with plenty of sunlight and low-growing vegetation. Natural habitats include longleaf pine forests, coastal dunes, and scrub. However, they can also adapt to man-made environments like pastures and neighborhoods—such as TGO.

 

At TGO, Tortoiseville offers ideal conditions: dry, sandy soil, elevation, and open areas. It is currently home to about 14 tortoises. Others live along the Nature Trail behind the Library and in scattered spots throughout the community.

 

What Do They Look Like?

Adult Gopher Tortoises are typically 10–15 inches long and weigh around 10 pounds. Their shells are dark brown or gray, often influenced by local soil. Young tortoises are lighter, often yellowish or tan. As burrowers, they have strong, flattened forelimbs with thick scales and short, elephant-like hind legs. Males have a slightly concave underside (plastron), while females do not.

 

About Their Burrows

Gopher Tortoise burrows are unique—wide, half-moon-shaped entrances lead to tunnels that slope down and can extend up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. These burrows maintain stable temperature and humidity, offering refuge from heat, cold, predators, fire, and storms. Tortoises spend up to 80% of their lives in these burrows, especially during winter.

 

A Home for Hundreds of Species

Tortoise burrows are critical to the ecosystem. Over 350 animal species have been observed using them—some temporarily, others exclusively. These "commensal" species include insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, snakes (including the Eastern Indigo and Florida Pine Snakes), and even burrowing owls. Gopher Tortoises are considered a keystone species because so many others depend on their presence.

 

How Do They Reproduce?

Spring is breeding season (March–May). Males court females through head-bobbing, shell nipping, and scent-marking. Females lay 6–7 eggs in sunny sandy areas, usually near their burrow. Eggs incubate for 80–110 days, with hatchlings emerging from August to October. Sadly, predation is high—only 1–2% may survive to adulthood.  Despite the odds, Tortoiseville has seen reproductive success, with juveniles and sub-adults now sharing the habitat alongside mature adults.

 

How Long Do They Live?

Gopher Tortoises are long-lived. Males reach maturity at 10–12 years; females take up to 20 years. In the wild, they can live 50–75 years—or longer in captivity. Some tortoises at TGO have been here since before the first homes were built on Sunset Drive in the late 1980s!

 

What Do They Eat?

Strictly herbivores, they feast on grasses, wildflowers, berries, prickly pear cactus, gopher apples, and more. They have sharp ridges on their jaws for cutting vegetation and usually forage close to their burrow. While they get most of their moisture from plants, they’ll drink rainwater when available.

 

Do Gopher Tortoises Bite?

No. They are calm and non-aggressive. Unlike snapping turtles, they pose no danger to people. However, since they are a protected species, please do not pick them up or handle them.

 

 

Conservation Status and Why It Matters

 

In Florida, Gopher Tortoises are listed as Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). It is illegal to harm, harass, relocate, or disturb them—or their burrows—without a state-issued permit.  Most threats to their survival come from habitat loss—the high, dry land they favor is often used for development, farming, or roads. That’s why conservation efforts like Tortoiseville are so important.

 

If you find a tortoise crossing a road, you may move it across in the same direction—but only if it’s safe to do so. Never relocate it elsewhere or put it in your car.

 

The FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Management Plan aims to protect the species statewide, but with rapid development across Florida, community-led initiatives like TGO NatureScape are vital.

 

Join Us in Protecting Tortoiseville

TGO NatureScape and its partners are committed to restoring and protecting this unique habitat for years to come. Together, we can ensure a thriving future for Florida’s beloved Gopher Tortoise.