The gopher tortoise is one of five North American tortoise species and is the only tortoise naturally found east of the Mississippi River. Its range includes the southeastern Coastal Plain from southeastern Louisiana east to southern South Carolina, and south to Florida.

Gopher tortoises and their burrows are protected by state law, and a gopher tortoise relocation permit must be obtained from FWC before disturbing burrows and conducting construction activities (Chapter 68A - 27.003, FL Administrative Code). A disturbance includes any type of work within 25 feet of a gopher tortoise burrow. For information on gopher tortoise relocation permits, refer to the FWC Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines webpage. Most activities associated with residential lawn and landscape maintenance do not require a permit provided activities do not collapse gopher tortoise burrows or harm gopher tortoises. For additional guidance on activities that do not require a permit, refer to the Gopher Tortoise Enforcement Policy.

Sick or injured tortoise: On weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., please call (850) 921-1030. After hours and on weekends, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's toll-free Wildlife Alert hotline at (888) 404-3922, or use #FWC or *FWC on your cell phone.

Dead tortoise: Report sightings of dead gopher tortoises on FWC’s mortality web application and provide information on cause of mortality, if known.

Please report illegal activities or potential tortoise violations to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at (888) 404-3922.