The gopher tortoise remains a threatened species in Florida because of loss of its upland habitat. They dig burrows that are used by 350 other animal species, according to the Wildlands ...

10 and orally at the meeting. In 2007, in response to growing urban sprawl and rules that allowed developers to legally kill, harm and entomb gopher tortoises in their burrows, Florida passed laws ...

The greatest declines are expected in the species’ core range in Florida, and the western portion of its range. Gopher tortoises are severely threatened by development-caused habitat loss and ...