Gopher Tortoise Day is coming up on April 10

FLORIDA — People living in Niceville and throughout Florida are being encouraged to celebrate the gopher tortoise in April.

Five years ago the Gopher Tortoise Council declared April 10 Gopher Tortoise Day. This day was proclaimed to celebrate all things gopher tortoise, giving one of Florida’s most important reptiles a much-deserved bask in the sunlight and to help celebrate and raise awareness for this native tortoise species.

How can you get involved?

There are plenty of easy ways to get involved in Gopher Tortoise Day:

• Ask your local officials to adopt a resolution proclaiming April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day in your community.
• Host or attend a virtual Gopher Tortoise Day event.
• Plan or attend a volunteer day. Make sure to follow CDC and state guidelines for physical distancing.
• Share your Gopher Tortoise Day events and activities with us! Email GTevents@MyFWC.com
• Use #GopherTortoiseDay on your social media posts and be sure to mention @MyFWC or tag #FWC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Why should we raise awareness for the gopher tortoise?

• The gopher tortoise is the only tortoise species native to the Southeastern United States!
• Gopher tortoises are currently state-listed as “threatened” in Florida. Without our help, these magnificent creatures could end up on the endangered species list!
• The gopher tortoise is a keystone species. More than 350 different animals rely on gopher tortoise burrows as a refuge from predators, fire, and extreme temperatures
• Gopher tortoise burrows provide refuge to many other imperiled or managed species, including the Eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake, Florida mouse, and gopher frog, just to name a few.