Gopher Tortoise

I took in an illegally collected gopher at the nature center this week. It’s an adult male. He is a little over 11 inches and scales at over 10 pounds. Since he is a federally protected species, I am not sure we are going to be able to keep him long term. I talked to our state law enforcement officer and he refereed me to the feds. They are currently checking TN permit status. I don’t know of any nature center or zoo in my area that has one, if the permits come thru, I think we will have the one on display in TN. I am so impressed by this animal. Turtles are not my forte but I am looking forward to working with this guy. You just don’t think of an animal like this be native to North American.

Me and Human, showing his back.


Me and Hurman, showing him from the front. (look at that head!)


Hurman with an 04 box turtle.

I wonder what the legal issues are for you to have this animal even though you did'nt collect it yourself. Suppose they don't believe you and think you took it yourself. Have you inquired with the state of florida at all about him? Can they persue legal action once he is out of the state?
Nice looking animal though. I wonder how they fair in captivity without access to a burrow? Like you say, you don't even see them in zoos. Good luck

Why would you check with FL? They occur in SC, GA, AL, FL, MS, and LA. We have no way of knowing which state it was collected in. My state officer refereed me to the feds and that is who I have been dealing with. As to why they believe me, this is easily a $3000 animal. If I intended to break the law, why would I take the animal to the nature center and call the state officials?

Update, the feds and given us the permits to keep him at the nature center, so he should be on display soon.

Did'nt know they occur in other states. You don't hear much about them. I've seen them on t.v. in florida and they have been refered to as florida gopher tortoises in mags. that I've read.
He'sreally cool. Enjoy