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Gopher Tortoise Threats
Habitat Loss and Destruction
Habitat Destruction & Fragmentation.
The biggest challenge gopher tortoises face is habitat loss. One of their favorite homes—the longleaf pine forest—once stretched unbroken across 90 million acres from Virginia to Florida to Texas. Today, less than 5% of this ecosystem remains.
Longleaf pine forests provide everything gopher tortoises need: old-growth trees, open pine stands, sandy soils for burrowing, and plenty of grasses and plants to eat. Unfortunately, these same high, dry areas are also highly desirable for people, especially in Florida. Development, along with phosphate, limestone, and sand mining, has destroyed countless acres of tortoise habitat—particularly in central Florida.
When development occurs, tortoises are sometimes relocated to other areas. But relocation is complicated. It can spread disease, disrupt existing populations, and often tortoises attempt to return to their original range—putting them at risk of being killed crossing roads.
Fortunately, better methods exist. In Florida, temporary enclosures are now required to help relocated tortoises stay on new sites, reducing the risk of injury or death. While relocation is not a perfect solution, these strategies give tortoises a better chance to survive as we continue working toward long-term habitat protection.
Forestry Practices.
The forestry industry plays an important role in conserving natural areas across the Southeast. However, some forestry practices can unintentionally harm gopher tortoises.
When pine trees are planted too densely, not enough sunlight reaches the ground. This limits the growth of the low plants tortoises depend on for food, and it can also make it difficult for females to find sunny, open sites for nesting. Intensive site preparation may also destroy burrows and nests.
On the other hand, certain forestry practices can greatly benefit gopher tortoises. Tree thinning and prescribed fire open up the canopy, letting sunlight reach the forest floor and encouraging the growth of native grasses and food plants. Likewise, hand-planting trees and using low-intensity site preparation methods help reduce harm to tortoises while still supporting healthy forests.
Prescribed Burns.
Fire is a natural and necessary part of the gopher tortoise’s environment. Longleaf pine forests, one of their primary habitats, are fire-adapted ecosystems that rely on frequent burns to stay healthy. Without fire, dense vegetation can quickly take over, shading out the open, sandy areas that gopher tortoises need to dig their burrows and find food.
Today, prescribed fire is a vital conservation tool used to restore and maintain these habitats. Controlled burns help keep vegetation low and open, preserving the sandy soils and grassy understories that tortoises depend on. When a fire sweeps through, gopher tortoises and many other species retreat underground. Their burrows act as natural shelters, providing refuge for up to 40 different species during a burn.
Why This Matters.
Protecting gopher tortoises and their habitat provides benefits far beyond a single species. When we safeguard their burrows and the landscapes they depend on, we also protect hundreds of other creatures—including rare and endangered species like the Eastern indigo snake, striped newt, and gopher frog.
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Healthy gopher tortoise habitat benefits people, too. Large, protected forests improve water quality, support cleaner air, and create natural spaces for recreation and connection with the outdoors.
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By protecting the gopher tortoise, we protect an entire ecosystem—and ensure a healthier, more resilient future for both wildlife and people.