Have a “tortally” awesome #GopherTortoiseDay, April 10!
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites you to celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day. You can find events, proclamations and fun ways to celebrate by visiting GopherTortoiseDayFL.com and by using #GopherTortoiseDay on social media.
Help tortoises today – and every day – by following these tips:
- Spot a tortoise? It is usually the best option to leave it undisturbed, so enjoy watching it from a distance.
- Consider making your home and neighborhood gopher tortoise-friendly by planting gopher tortoise-friendly plants or creating a Gopher Tortoise-Friendly Yard.
- If you encounter a tortoise crossing a roadway (and it’s safe for you) you can place the tortoise on the side of the road in the direction it was heading. Never put tortoises in water, as gopher tortoises can’t swim like turtles can.
- Report sightings of gopher tortoises and their burrows or notify the FWC of a sick, injured or dead tortoise.
Learn more about living alongside tortoises at the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Program Education Corner and Education Resources Page. You’ll find ideas for kids’ activities, such as fun gopher tortoise coloring pages, as well as fact sheets, posters and more.
Gopher tortoises are designated as a threatened species and protected in Florida. It is illegal to harm a gopher tortoise, its eggs or burrow, relocate without a permit, or possess a tortoise, its eggs, or any parts of a tortoise. Report wildlife violations to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Gopher Tortoise Day was adopted in 2016 by the Gopher Tortoise Council to increase appreciation and conservation support of the species. The FWC and partners celebrate on April 10 each year.
Spring is an active time for gopher tortoises and many native wildlife species. Visit MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise to learn more.
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