The Swamp Sanctuary is No Home for Gopher Tortoises
Yet, we find them here frequently.
By Renée Wilson
Senior Communications Coordinator
Published July 09, 2025
This article is from Audubon Florida
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If only gopher tortoises could read. This poor tortoise, trying to find its way around in some very swampy habitat, was looking for dry land when it encountered the front door of the Blair Visitor Center. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is not where it belongs!
Why is it here?
Over the years, well-meaning humans have brought gopher tortoises to the Sanctuary, thinking this could be a safe place for them to live.
Even though the Sanctuary protects wildlife and several different habitats, there is not enough suitable habitat here for gopher tortoises to survive.
Plus, they are a state-listed Threatened species. It is illegal to move them!
What do gopher tortoises need?
Gopher tortoises require open, sunny spaces for basking and foraging. They rely on well-drained habitats with sandy soil where their favorite plants can grow, like broadleaf grasses, blanket flower, and prickly pear cactus. But most importantly, they need well-drained soil in which to dig their burrows, where they escape extreme temperatures, avoid wildfires, and lay their eggs. Without the right soil, their burrows could collapse.
What should someone do if they see a gopher tortoise?
Moving or handling gopher tortoises in Florida is illegal in most situations. If you find a tortoise in an environment where it would not typically be found, note the location, take a photo if possible, and call (850) 921-1030.
Report sightings of gopher tortoises and burrows through the FWC gopher tortoise reporting webform.