Hatchling gopher tortoises will temporarily live in adult burrows before creating their own burrows. There are certain endangered species that are protected by the law that are illegal to own but most of the common ones are not endangered and you can own them as pets.

Gopherus Wikipedia

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Can you keep a gopher tortoise as a pet. This means that the more you can learn about the gopher tortoise the more you can prepare if one or more should arrive on your property. To be a responsible pet owner and ensure the best state of health of the gopher tortoise below are some of the important things to note. Today the greatest threat to the survival of the gopher tortoise is habitat destruction.

Since becoming protected by the US. The gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus is hereby declared to be threatened and shall be afforded the protective provisions specified in this paragraph. Whenever you are tempted to buy or bring home a tortoise call the sane part of your brain to reminds you that wild animals arent pet.

Road kill is one of the major causes of death for adult tortoises. How can anyone help. Individuals can obtain a Wildlife Rehabilitator License from their State to rehabilitate a wounded animal back to health and release it into the wild.

First of all these tortoises are not at all allowed to keep as pets and are considered illegal if you do so unless you obtain a permit. No you cannot since they are listed as threatened they should be in the wild. A Florida Guide to Gopher Tortoise Friendly Plants provides a list of tortoise-friendly plants many which can be found at your local native nursery.

Gopher tortoises have been poached in the past for meat but now are more commonly poached for pets. And should you come across a tortoise crossing a road leave it alone or move it out of the road. Facts About Gopher Tortoises.

What kind of plants do gopher tortoises eat. Should you have illegally a tortoise in your possession relinquish it to a responsible tortoise rescue. No person shall take attempt to take pursue hunt harass capture possess sell or transport any gopher tortoise or parts thereof or their eggs or molest damage or destroy gopher tortoise burrows except as authorized by.

And although removing gopher tortoises from their homes is against the law they are so easy to catch that some people continue to kill and eat them or keep them as pets. If it does take it back to where your folks got it and let it go away from the road. They are opportunistic eaters.

Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission keeping tortoises as pets racing them or removing them from their home ranges is illegal. They can eat what they find. Leave the tortoise alone and keep dogs and children away from the tortoise and its burrow.

Can you have them as pets. Since gopher tortoises are a threatened species both the tortoises and their burrows are protected under state law and must be left alone. Any tortoise problems or violationscan be referred to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

Other Tips for Taking Care of Gopher Tortoise. A gopher tortoise was among the 92 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. However even if youre permitted to keep one the best way to keep it is in an open field where the tortoise can have space to roam forage and dig.

You can help by adding tortoise-friendly plants that it can eat. Gopher tortoises have received protected status. Adult tortoises have few enemies besides humans.

As such the gopher tortoise may not be handled without a permit. Pet Gopher tortoises may not be harmed but they are not able to mate and this can mean serious population declines. So the answer is yes.

This is usually in 1 5 acres of land. It should never be held captive with another specie. When it comes to keeping a gopher tortoise as a pet most people ask Is it illegal to pick up a gopher tortoise.

It is illegal to have one without getting a permit. It is illegal to keep gopher tortoises as pets. They eat plants that are leafy like wiregrass leaf grasses and more.

Also the gopher tortoise should never be released back in the wild as this will only cause the problem to spread. This means they pose no threat to you your family or your pets. No you can legally own a turtle in Mississippi it all depends on the species.

Tell your sister that. Currently road deaths are probably the most common way that humans cause the death of Gopher tortoises. You can only keep a domesticated gopher as a pet if you obtain one through an exotic pet dealer.

If you have a gopher tortoise on your property keep pets or children away from its burrow. As earlier stated it is illegal to confine a gopher tortoise in your home as a pet unless youre licensed to. A woman in Bonita Springs brought a large female gopher.

Apart from the burrows gopher tortoises are generally harmless for humans. Just keep your eyes open and it will hopefully turn up.