Gopher Tortoise Celebrated Sunday At Florida Aquarium

TAMPA BAY, FL — Sunday, April 10, is Gopher Tortoise Day.

As a keystone species of Florida wildlife, the gopher tortoise plays a critical role in the survival of many other species. Sadly, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lists the gopher tortoise as "threatened."

In celebration of Gopher Tortoise Day, The Florida Aquarium will bring awareness to this long-lived reptile and its importance in the ecosystem with the goal of educating, informing and inspiring advocates for the important gopher tortoise.

Found in all 67 counties in Florida, the gopher tortoise 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.

Located in the Journey to Madagascar exhibit, The Florida Aquarium is home to a pair of gopher tortoises. Guests to The Florida Aquarium on April 10 will not only have the opportunity to see the gopher tortoise and its burrow but will also learn from the professional team entrusted with their care.

Victoria Fagg, an animal care and health biologist at The Florida Aquarium, will host a live segment on social media at approximately 1 p.m. to discuss natural history and relevant facts on gopher tortoises.

"While Gopher Tortoise Day is an important celebration, the protection of the species is critical every day," Fagg said.

In support of ongoing conservation efforts locally, The Florida Aquarium assisted with a habitat enhancement at St. Petersburg College's STEM Center in Madeira Beach (aka Hurricane Hole) on April 3, working with Keep Pinellas Beautiful and JP Chase Morgan to plant native vegetation that provides benefits to gopher tortoises, including two newly relocated gopher tortoises.

Donated by The Florida Aquarium, more than 150 plants were placed, including:

• 50 white mangrove
• 50 black mangrove
• 20 blue-eyed grass
• 20 purple love grass
• 4 slash pine trees
• 4 Bahama strong back trees

St. Petersburg College's new Bay Pines STEM Center is a hands-on science learning complex adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway in Pinellas County. The 51.87- acre area located at St. Pete College is home to 11 rescued, rehabilitated and relocated tortoises.