Stay in the know about wildlife, water quality, and ecosystems on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and in Southwest Florida
Time of Year for Baby Gopher Tortoises
Photo by Daniel Parker
It’s that time of year when many terrestrial turtles are laying eggs, and hatchlings can be seen moving around. Although storm surges from 2022 – 2024 reduced the populations of most terrestrial turtles, recruitment and restoration of these species are underway.
Listed as a threatened species in Florida, gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are the most evident terrestrial turtles on the island. Technically tortoises, this upland-dwelling species is considered a keystone species and essential for the success of many other species on Sanibel due to their proclivity to make burrows.
“The number of active burrows on five SCCF preserves after Hurricane Ian decreased by at least 39% as seen from our annual tortoise burrow surveys,” said Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz. “This year, many volunteers have helped with habitat restoration as we seek to offset that decrease.”
Related article: Gopher Tortoise Habitat Enhancement Project
It is important to protect and/or provide the appropriate habitat so that gopher tortoises will thrive, benefiting other species as well as themselves. Across their range, gopher tortoise burrows are used by over 300 vertebrate and invertebrate species for shelter from weather, wildfires, and predators.
“Some species cannot exist anywhere except gopher tortoise burrows,” said Lechowicz. “Even though fewer than the total 300 species use them on Sanibel, they are an essential part of the functional ecosystem.”
How to identify hatchling gopher tortoises
Hatchling gopher tortoises are often misidentified as other turtle species. Since gopher tortoises prefer open canopy grasslands, the top of the beach dune is a common place for them to dig a burrow.
“Beachgoers often spot hatchling gopher tortoises wandering around the low vegetation, in search of vegetation to eat, or in the open sand, and assume they are baby sea turtles,” he said. “Unfortunately, a fair number of these are picked up and placed or thrown into the Gulf because they are thought to be helping the youngster.”
How to tell them apart:
- Hatchling sea turtles are mostly dark — brown, black or grey — in color and have long flippers instead of feet.
- Hatchling gopher tortoises have a round, elevated shell that is mostly yellow and orange, with some brown, and have short feet like elephants.
Young gopher tortoises can make their own burrows, but they typically live in the abandoned burrows of larger tortoises. As gopher tortoises grow toward adulthood, the yellow/orange color of the carapace of the shell turns dark brown.
Even adult tortoises are sometimes misidentified and brought to the Gulf by visitors unfamiliar with our fauna.
If you are unsure of the species of turtle or other wildlife on the island, please email sccf@sccf.org with a picture for identification.