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The Gopher Tortoise
The Gopher tortoise is the only tortoise that lives in the eastern part of the United States. It is found in dry sandy uplands such as scrub, scrubby flatwood and dry prairie habitats. They are named for their ability to dig large deep burrows, which are used as refuge by close to 400 other species such as the Florida mouse, gopher frog, eastern indigo snakes, burrowing owls, and numerous insect species. In essence the gopher tortoise is the backbone or “Keystone” of the dry sandy upland habitats.
State Protections
Gopher Tortoises are protected under Florida Administrative Code 68A-27
“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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permit or comply with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved guidelines”.
The gopher tortoise is a state threatened species and protected by State Law, Rule 68A-27 F.A.C. In 2007, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) implemented a rule eliminating the *“take” of Gopher Tortoises and must now be relocated out of the path of development to a permitted Recipient Site. Recipient sites prevent the loss of tortoises on development sites, help retain the local or regional tortoise resource, and aid in habitat preservation.
*“take” is the destruction of the animal.
The gopher tortoise is under the protection and regulatory authority of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). All issues concerning the health and welfare, rehoming or general information about gopher tortoises should be referred to FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Assistant Biologist at 850-921-1030 or FWC Southwest Regional Gopher Tortoise Contact at 863-648-3856.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is working to "Keep Tortoises Wild."
If you see a Gopher Tortoise and it is not in distress or immediate danger, it is advised to leave it alone. Moving or handling a Gopher Tortoise is illegal in Florida, so it is best to not disturb the tortoise. Report the sighting to the FWC Gopher Tortoise Reporting Webform.
Please do NOT place the tortoise in a lake or pond. Gopher tortoises live in dry sandy habitat and do not belong in the water!
For more information or clarification, please visit: What should I do if I see a tortoise?
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
If it is after hours or on the weekend, call the FWC toll-free Wildlife Alert hotline at (888) 404- FWCC (3922).
Tallahassee, FL
Manatee County Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site
Manatee County’s Vision
- Establish a viable, sustainable population of gopher tortoises in perpetuity.
- Reestablish commensal (360+) wildlife species with the establishment of the gopher tortoise population.
- Protect recipient site lands under Conservation Easement in perpetuity.
Reservations
Requirements to Reserve space at the Duette Preserve Long Term Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site:
- Reservation Agreement – The Reservation Agreement is a twelve (12) month contract between the Donor and Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. Included are the requirements for reservations, quantity of tortoises and pricing.
- Administrative Fee/Deposit - A nonrefundable deposit equal to 5% of the calculated Gopher Tortoise Recipient Fee is required upon return of the executed Reservation Agreement. The Administrative fee is a portion of the total cost per tortoise and not an additional charge and it is used to cover administrative, fiscal, and equipment needed to receive tortoises.
- A FWC Reservation Letter will be issued once the Reservation Agreement and Administrative Fee are received by Manatee County Natural Resources Department. Contact Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department regarding payment methods.
Duette Preserve Gopher Tortoise Long-Term Recipient Site, Tier 1
The Duette Preserve Gopher Tortoise Long-Term Recipient Site (Phase 1) is a Tier 1 recipient site that offers the maximum long-term protection for gopher tortoises through perpetual conservation easement over Manatee County Conservation lands (FWC Permit GTLR-23-00009). The gopher tortoise recipient site is dedicated to the preservation of gopher tortoises and contains 452 acres of quality upland habitat suitable for a sustainable population of gopher tortoises.
The program allows tortoises from public infrastructure projects and private entities in Manatee County and central Florida to be relocated to safe and protected lands owned by the County. This way, the tortoises can stay close to their original home range and thrive under the County’s Resource Management team. The long-term protection of the species in the recipient site will allow this important species to increase in population size and provide refuge to hundreds of different animals in their burrows.
Manatee County’s gopher tortoise recipient sites shall only accept gopher tortoises being relocated from projects (i.e., donor site) occurring within the approved geographic region according to FWC Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines.
Fee Structure
The fee per gopher tortoise is calculated according to the Mantee County Natural Resources Department Gopher Tortoise Recipient Fee Policy (R-23-132, modified 2024). A current market rate is charged per tortoise according to a quarterly survey conducted to assess costs of recipient sites in Central Florida. This cost is reflected in the reservation agreement. Included in the cost is the health assessment, marking, and release of tortoises that is performed by Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agents of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department staff.
Contact Manatee County Natural Resources Department to verify current fee schedule.
The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Fee shall be calculated at the time of the Reservation Agreement generation, as follows:
- Adult tortoises with carapace greater than 130mm shall be charged the Recipient fee per the Natural Resources Fee Schedule.
- Tortoises with a carapace less than 130 mm will not be charged the full Gopher Tortoise Recipient Fee. Instead, the administrative fee will be collected for authorized agent administration and receiving activities
- After a relocation is complete, the donor site is responsible for paying the remaining Gopher Tortoise Recipient Fee balance in accordance with the Reservation Agreement.
The Gopher Tortoise Program is funded by Donors that need to rehome gopher tortoises.
All proceeds from the Gopher Tortoise Program go directly into funding the Program, land management activities at Manatee County Preserves, and land acquisition to expand the program.
All inquiries by potential donors should contact:
FAQ's
Similar to handling or disturbing gopher tortoises, it is prohibited to feed them as well. However, you are welcome and even encouraged to plant some tortoise-friendly plants in your yard that the tortoise can graze on naturally. Please visit A Florida Guide to Gopher Tortoise Friendly Plants | FWC for a list of native plant species that will blend in with most any landscaping, as well as attracting native birds and butterflies!
All gopher tortoises moved to Duette Preserve's recipient site by private enterprises or individuals will be charged the current market rate (please contact us for more details).
