Gopher Tortoise - Longleaf Pine's Ecosystem Engineers | Environmental Education

One cannot over-exaggerate how important Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are to the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem. Gopher Tortoise burrows benefit over 300 other species! Sadly, with loss of habitat, these once-common reptiles have declined significantly. It's not all doom and gloom though, because in this protected piece of land, we find an adorable sign of hope--a baby tortoise hatchling.

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