An Intriguing Burrow May Mean Gopher Tortoise Arrival

 

While I was checking the third McFarlin's Lupine planting area, I discovered an intriguing looking burrow that was not there the last time I visited the area, which was last spring if memory serves.

The shape of the opening suggests it is a Gopher Tortoise burrow. There seemed to be tracks at the entrance. which indicates it is active. 

The preserve has not had a gopher tortoise population in the time I have been monitoring it. I have seen two gopher tortoises of unknown origin, but they did not persist. I found one of them dead. Not sure what became of the other one.

As noted in an earlier post, I recently found the empty shell of a Florida Box Turtle. but they do not dig burrows, so I can rule out that species as the occupant.

I will have to recheck the area from time to time to document what is happening.

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