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Gopher Tortoise Day!

April 10th has been officially recognized as Gopher Tortoise Day!

The goal of Gopher Tortoise Day is to increase awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle reptiles.

Gopher tortoises are considered a “keystone species” because they dig burrows that provide shelter for 360 other species of wildlife, called “commensals.”  These commensal species include the gopher frog, Florida mouse, eastern indigo snake, and hundreds of invertebrates like beetles and crickets. Without the gopher tortoise, many of these species would not exist.

Wildlife officials report that spring days are a good time to spot a gopher tortoise as the species becomes more active, foraging for food and searching for a mate.

Sanibel Island sustains a sizable population of gopher tortoises, which inhibit conservation lands, residential neighborhoods and commercial properties.

(Dina has one in her front yard, too!)

The species needs plenty of sandy sunny habitats with an open tree canopy to thrive and survive, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Officials advise that it is best to leave gopher tortoises and their half-moon shaped burrow entrances alone. It is illegal to disturb or harm them, their burrows or their eggs.

Habitat destruction is the main threat to its species’ population.  CROW treats an average of 60-75 gopher tortoises annually, and their main reason for admission is from being ‘HBC’ (Hit By Car).  As of April 5, CROW had eight gopher tortoises recovering in the hospital.

Through all my complaints, I am always very tired. It is not yet certain that it is sarcoidosis. That’s why I got this prednisone cure to see how it develops. I bought it at www.papsociety.org/prednisone/. Then we will see. So far, the result is pretty positive.

To help a gopher tortoise cross a road, pick it up and place it on the roadside in the direction it was heading.  Remember that the tortoise is a land animal, so never attempt to put it into water.

CROW will host a “Patient Profiles: Gopher Tortoises” program on April 14 at 2 p.m. for those interested in learning more about the species  and how the medical staff treats injured tortoises.

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