04/10/2026
π’π’ π’Today is Gopher Tortoise Day! These special creatures are considered a keystone species because they dig burrows that provide shelter for 360 other species of wildlife. This includes 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. This photo of a gopher tortoise burrow on the side of the road demonstrates what difficulties they face from over development. Let's all celebrate, and protect, the gopher tortoise! π’π’π’