Help the FWC Protect Gopher Tortoises

[@NHMntnHIGH]

I recently noticed a burrow under my back stairs after telling the local children to leave the tortoise alone she belongs to the state of Florida , she has a nice burrow dug and I'm looking forward to seeing her babies hatch .

[@Grouperhunter]

Gopher tortoises are one of my favorite animals in the state of Florida.

[@PalmCoasting]

Recently had a female lay her eggs in one of my flowerbeds. It was fascinating to watch - even caught a bit of it on video. Will be looking for hatchlings in mid to late-July.

[@sjwilson1079]

I have a few of them on my property and love seeing them eat grass in the yard

[@kimmiekoolbeans]

We have videos of us rescuing about 20 gopher tortoises off of highways. We love these little guys. We have to here on the property now we know of.. They are welcome to stay as long as they like.. We’re glad the feel safe here.

[@ThatOneguy-br3uf]

The state issues permits for big construction to concrete on top of these tortoises. For the right amount of money they permit is issued. Don’t act like you care about the tortoise the state cares about the income from the building permits.

[@redbug3485]

Gotta Love a Gopher......!

[@trapperjohn2462]

I was doing security at a large social event. A large vacant lot was used for parking. Near the middle of the lot was a gopher tortoise burrow. I set up a 10 ft no go zone with traffic cones, around the burrow, to protect the tortoise and it's burrow. I didn't want anybody to run over the burrow or the tortoise.

[@BrianStocking]

I've got them here on my property in N. Central Fl. A few days ago I caught Momma filling in a hole after she just laid eggs right out side my front door. Takes 80 to 110 days for them to hatch, so I'll be looking for them in August. Until then the nest is safe as I put chicken wire over it to keep cats and the chickens from digging holes. When they hatch I guess I'll move them to the back drive where most of the others reside. They like bananas also.

[@samgalati3461]

These Tortoises are spunky here in Fl. I'm always helping them cross the roads.

[@mikekleid400]

Very nice documentary.

[@Jay-uu5lu]

Right by my house is an empty lot with garbage and I saw 2 tortoises living there

[@newaccount02]

Just discovered a baby (the size of a fist, never seen one so small) tortoise in my backyard today. I'll take a picture with the app to report next time I see him out of his burrow!

[@take5th]

Amazon is building on land in jacksonville full of these majestic creatures, crushing and entombing them. It is illegal for a citizen to move them though, so how can I save them? I reported to FWC website locator, but fear there will be no action.

[@sayckeone]

Isn't that funny? Illegal for you to move them, legal for corporations to turn their habitat into a slab of concrete.

[@jeannebass7442]

When my neighbors from the city moved in next door we told them the burrow on the hill in their back yard

[@Limestone_Wolf]

There are many of these in my neighborhood, and a two or three specifically in my yard.Way to big to be killed by any kind of cat. I love them! I make sure they eat plenty of grass and stuff. I love taking pictures of them to.

[@jdovak1589]

That Riverview Hooligan ...bobcats can use their claws to pull the legs out of shells...then they eat them....had several killed on my property...no legs or head😒😞👎

[@kimmiekoolbeans]

J Dovak really!!! I wondered about that.. I thought they could too.. So you have seen it? We have a fox beheading our bunnies.. Luckily & in a way unluckily.. We don’t have Bob Cats are far as I can tell.. That sux about your Gopher Tortoises.. 😥

[@kimmiekoolbeans]

That Riverview Hooligan Awww! We have a couple too. That’s sweet you like them. Beautiful animals... So gentle..

[@SHRIKE427]

FWC has a very VERY lazy approach to tortoise protection. I have known some tortoises for over 15 years and had become very familiar with their burrows. Call FWC when they are being bulldozed over and they just say, "No proof there was ever a tortoise there" Just terrible!... Very disappointed in FWC...

[@LJRamos111]

So sad

[@manleykiserify]

Love this Video!

[@h.c.c9119]

There's been a lot of housing development in our area. It's uprooting a significant amount of gopher tortoise on our property. My German Shorthaired Pointer has a high prey drive and has gotten to several of the tortoise. Besides keeping an eye on the dogs while they're in the yard (it's 5 acres), what else can be done?

[@TCSkiFilms]

I could use some clarification on the app. Posting the location sounds like a good idea but a lot of reviews say don't do it because of poachers.

[@jeannebass7442]

That was 8 months ago.. Today I noticed that they had dumped their burn barrel in the turtles den!! When I asked why they did that?? They said they knew all about gopher turtles and she had a new hope on the side of their yard!! What if her babies are down there?? I'm pretty pissed, but do not know who to turn to for action!! Can anyone out there help?? I have to live beside them going forward!

[@dianetidwell9705]

Is the app still available? I couldn't find it. thanks

[@terryhammond9728]

+Diane Tidwell IF YOU STILL HAVE NOT FOUND THIS, TRY myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/app/ ON YOUR SMARTPHONE.

[@N1ghtH4wk86]

Shame on the house developers who destroyed 250 gopher homes!!!! Shame!!

[@seankirby7055]

Save the Dirt Turtles!

[@konapuppy10]

I’ve been told they are very nasty....is it true?

[@janedoe6322]

not at all!

[@xxbabymegalodonxx2474]

Dogs and children always? What about cats and ball pythons?

[@jdovak1589]

XxTheMajesticPythonxX 247 ... bobcats...

[@Jpm4231]

I reported an area where they were being buried alive to create a housing project. The FWC did nothing, presumably because it was a large company. Sad.

[@kanatapaw]

3 maggot females tirchered one very recently. Stole from the wild to abuse. They killed the poor soul.

[@jdovak1589]

kanatapaw . turn them in.. big penalties & fines.. usually jailtime👍👍