Gopher tortoises: Study to determine if diseases, dwindling habitat cause low productivity
So, you may have seen some rather large and perhaps cumbersome gopher tortoises scuttling through parks, reserves and natural habitats.
But how often do you cross smaller, younger gopher tortoises?
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Habour Branch Oceanographic Institute along with the Loggerhead Marinelife Centre at Juno Beach have been asking the same question and wonder if disease and their ever-dwindling habitat are the cause for the species’ reduced productivity.
This study all began with Justin Perrault, director at the Loggerhead Marinelife Centre, led an effort to conduct health assessments on 60 gopher tortoises at Loggerhead Park.
To read the full story, follow the link above.
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Photo from Mark Hewlett.
