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  • Gopher Tortoise Identification Guide

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    Allan EP
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    The document provides guidance on identifying gopher tortoise burrows and distinguishing them from burrows of other mammalian species. Active gopher tortoise burrows are identified by their flat bottom and high dome shape, with characteristic excavated soil called an apron found in front of the opening. Tortoise burrows slope gently down while mammal burrows usually slope straight down, and tortoise burrows are proportionate to the occupying tortoise. Safety guidance advises to never stick a hand in an unidentified burrow.

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    Gopher tortoise Identification guide

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    Gopher tortoise Identification guide

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    The document provides guidance on identifying gopher tortoise burrows and distinguishing them from burrows of other mammalian species. Active gopher tortoise burrows are identified by their flat bottom and high dome shape, with characteristic excavated soil called an apron found in front of the opening. Tortoise burrows slope gently down while mammal burrows usually slope straight down, and tortoise burrows are proportionate to the occupying tortoise. Safety guidance advises to never stick a hand in an unidentified burrow.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    55 views2 pages

    Gopher Tortoise Identification Guide

    Uploaded by

    Allan EP
    The document provides guidance on identifying gopher tortoise burrows and distinguishing them from burrows of other mammalian species. Active gopher tortoise burrows are identified by their flat bottom and high dome shape, with characteristic excavated soil called an apron found in front of the opening. Tortoise burrows slope gently down while mammal burrows usually slope straight down, and tortoise burrows are proportionate to the occupying tortoise. Safety guidance advises to never stick a hand in an unidentified burrow.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 2

    GOPHER TORTOISE BURROW IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

    Gopher tortoise burrows are often confused with armadillo or other mammalian species
    burrows. Active gopher tortoise burrows are easily identified by their classic flat bottomed,
    high domed appearance and characteristic area of excavated soil in front of the opening
    called the apron. Tortoise burrows gently slope down, whereas mammal burrows usually
    slope straight down. Tortoise burrows are usually proportionate to the size of individual
    occupying the burrow. Safety Note: NEVER stick your hand in a burrow; use a stick as you do
    not know what may be in the burrow.
    https://medium.com/environmental-science-department/florida-
    native-plants-provide-something-for-everyone-578c1358bae7

    When inspecting apron, note tortoise


    foot prints and or scat at mouth of
    Ericha Nix Ericha Nix burrow to further confirm that it is
    Abandoned burrow. Note that it still Active burrow. Typical shape, gently indeed a tortoise burrow. Scat resembles
    has classic shape, gently slopes and slopes and presence of an apron. small dried cigars and you can easily
    remnants of an apron. identify the digested grass component.

    Ericha Nix Ericha Nix Ericha Nix

    Active burrow in gravel soil. Typical Active burrow in food plot. Typical Active burrow. Typical shape, gently
    shape, gently slopes and presence of shape, gently slopes and presence of slopes and presence of an apron.
    an apron. an apron.

    Ericha Nix Craig Guyer Craig Guyer

    Abandoned burrow. Note that it still Eggs in apron of active burrow. Sub adult burrow after a burn.
    has classic shape, gently slopes and Typical shape, gently slopes and Typical shape, gently slopes and
    remnants of an apron. presence of an apron. presence of an apron.

    Created by Ericha Nix February 2018


    MAMMAL BURROW IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
    Mammal burrow openings are usually round in appearance. Gopher tortoise burrows are
    often used by mammal species, changing the flat bottom, high dome opening to a round
    shape. Mammal burrows or dens may have soil build up around entrance, resembling the
    apron of a gopher tortoise burrow. Often mammals dig burrows in stump holes, under tree
    roots, sides of a hill or dirt bank. Mouse holes often resemble immature gopher tortoise
    burrows however, these holes are mostly round in shape. Safety Note: NEVER stick your hand
    in a burrow; use a stick as you do not know what may be in the burrow.

    Ericha Nix https://www.indystar.com/story/life/home-garden/2014/07/19/dr-dirt-


    mousetrap-works-best-eliminate-voles/12768259/
    NRCS
    Crayfish Burrow. Looks like a chimney Vole or Field Mouse Burrow (1-2 in.). Oldfield Mouse Burrow (1-2 in.).
    and burrow goes straight down. No apron and burrow goes straight Looks like an apron but burrow goes
    down. straight down.

    NRCS NRCS

    Oldfield Mouse Burrow (1-2 in.). Coyote Den (No apron). Burrow in Armadillo Burrow (round and does
    Looks like an apron but burrow goes the side of a hill. look like it has an apron). Burrow in
    straight down. the side of a bank.

    southeasternpocketgopher.weebly.com

    Charlie Bittner
    www.sharonlovejoy.com
    Armadillo Burrow (No apron though one Fox Den (No apron). Burrow in the Southeastern Pocket Gopher Mounds
    could mistake the soil around entrance as side of a hill. Found in the same habitat as gopher
    one. Note shape of animal… oval to tortoise. Mound semi-close together.
    circular as it creates burrow).
    Created by Ericha Nix February 2018

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