Discover the landscapes gophers call home
From sandhills and scrub to coastal dunes and flatwoods, gopher tortoises depend on healthy open landscapes. Explore the habitats, plants. and natural processes that support them across the Southeast.
Each landscape plays an important role in the lives of gopher tortoises and the many other species that share these special places.
Explore the habitats, plants, wildlife, and changing Florida landscapes that shape the life of this remarkable keystone species.
Open, sunny uplands with sandy soils, native grasses, wildflowers, and widely spaced pines.
Dry, sandy habitat with low-growing shrubs, open patches, and plants adapted to harsh conditions.
Open pine forests with diverse grasses, wildflowers, and seasonal changes in moisture.
Wide, open landscapes dominated by native grasses, wildflowers, and scattered low shrubs.
Wide, open landscapes dominated by native grasses, wildflowers, and scattered low shrubs.
Modified habitats such as pastures, roadsides, neighborhoods, and other areas where tortoises persist.
Every observation becomes part of a growing scientific record that helps researchers protect gopher tortoises, identify critical habitat, and guide conservation efforts. With an estimated 80% population decline over the last 120 years, every observation matters. Together, we’re helping conserve one of Florida’s most important keystone species and the more than 350 species that depend on its burrows.
Every burrow is a window into the health of the surrounding habitat. Your observations become part of a growing scientific record that helps scientists monitor habitat quality, identify conservation priorities, and guide restoration efforts. By better understanding healthy habitats, we can all make smarter choices in our own yards, neighborhoods, and communities.
What is Gopher Tortoise Watch?
Gopher Tortoise Watch is a citizen science app that empowers anyone to help protect gopher tortoises by documenting tortoises, burrows, and habitat observations. Every observation contributes to a growing conservation database that supports research, education, habitat management, and long-term wildlife monitoring.
Why should I use the app?
Whether you report one tortoise or hundreds, your observations help build a better understanding of where gopher tortoises live, how their habitats are changing, and where conservation efforts can have the greatest impact.
Who can use Gopher Tortoise Watch?
Anyone can participate. You don’t need to be a scientist or have previous experience. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and care about wildlife, you can make a meaningful contribution.
How do I report a gopher tortoise?
1. Tap Report a Tortoise.
2. Take or upload a photo.
3. Confirm the location.
4. Answer a few simple questions.
5. Submit your observation.
The entire process usually takes less than a minute.
Why do you ask for a habitat photo?
The surrounding habitat tells an important part of the story.
Vegetation, ground cover, canopy, and nearby landscape features help us better understand why some burrows thrive, identify important habitat features, and monitor how habitats change over time.
Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to share some feedback, we’d like to hear from you.