At Home with the Gopher Tortoise: The Story of a Keystone Species

Did you know that more than 360 different kinds of animals and plants depend upon gopher tortoise burrows for survival?

The gopher tortoise digs burrows to survive, and in the process helps other animals. Burrows protect the tortoise and other creatures from the heat of the summer, the cold of the winter, and forest fires. Some animals use the burrow to find food; others use it as a safe haven'to raise their babies. Owls, rabbits, skunks, frogs and scorpions are just a few of the animals tha...