Gopher tortoises are not swimmers. Unlike sea turtles or freshwater turtles, they are strictly land-dwelling animals. Their heavy, elephant-like legs are designed for digging burrows, not paddling through water.

If a gopher tortoise ends up in deep water, it can easily drown. However, they may sometimes be seen near shallow puddles or temporary rainwater pools, where they might wade to drink or cool off—but that’s the extent of their interaction with water.

For builders and developers in Florida, it’s important to note that gopher tortoise habitats are dry, sandy uplands (like pine flatwoods, scrub, and coastal dunes), not wetlands. This distinction helps when surveying land for burrows before starting a project.

Leave it alone—gopher tortoises and their burrows are protected in Florida. You cannot move or disturb them without a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). If the tortoise is in an area you plan to develop, contact an FWC-certified gopher tortoise agent (like Creek Engineering) to handle surveying and relocation.

No — you cannot move a gopher tortoise on your own. In Florida, gopher tortoises are a state-protected species, and both the tortoise and its burrow are protected by law. If you find one on your property, it’s illegal to touch, move, or harass it without the proper permits from the FWC.

If a tortoise is in the way of construction or development, a relocation permit must be obtained, and only an FWC-authorized agent can safely and legally handle the tortoise. For homeowners, the best step is to simply let the tortoise be — they’re harmless, and they’ll often move on naturally.

If you’re a builder or developer, you’ll need to plan ahead for surveys and permitting to avoid fines and project delays.

Yes. Gopher tortoises are a protected species, and it’s illegal to touch or move them—or disturb their burrows—without a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Gopher tortoises are a threatened species in Florida, and killing or harming one is illegal. Penalties can include fines up to $5,000 and even jail time. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requires permits for any activity that may affect tortoises or their burrows.

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More than 350 species rely on gopher tortoise burrows for shelter in Southwest Florida. Some of the most common include snakes, frogs, lizards, rabbits, armadillos, and small mammals, along with insects and birds. These burrows provide protection from predators, fire, and extreme temperatures, making them a vital part of the local ecosystem.

Gopher tortoises are primarily herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of native plants found in Florida’s sandy upland habitats. Their diet consists mostly of grasses, broadleaf plants, fruits, and flowers. Some of their favorite foods include wiregrass, gopher apple, legumes, and various seasonal wildflowers. Because they graze on so many types of plants, gopher tortoises play an important role in shaping the plant communities where they live.

These tortoises are also considered a keystone species because their foraging habits help disperse seeds and encourage plant growth, benefiting many other animals in the ecosystem. While their diet is simple, it’s perfectly suited to the dry, sandy soils where they thrive. For property owners and developers, protecting the native vegetation on a site is one of the most important steps in supporting gopher tortoise populations.

A gopher tortoise burrow is a wide, flat tunnel entrance shaped like a half-moon, usually found in dry, sandy soil. The opening typically matches the size of the tortoise’s shell and may have a sandy mound, called an “apron,” just outside the entrance. Burrows can stretch several feet underground and provide shelter for the tortoise and hundreds of other species.