Known as “nature’s apartment builders,” gopher tortoises carve out burrows that offer shelter and resources to over 350 species.
But today, these underground apartments that sustain Florida’s biodiversity are being destroyed so we can build our own.
Humans and gopher tortoises have similar tastes in real estate— high and dry areas. Competition for this land is heating up as the population of the Sunshine State continues to grow , far faster than our four-legged friends can move.
As development encroaches upon grasslands and forests, the population of the ecosystem’s most laid-back landlord declines, along with the countless species that depend on its rent-free community spaces.
Saving one of Florida’s slowest residents starts with moving faster to protect their habitats.