Sadly, only 25% of all eggs hatch in the wild and only 10% of hatchlings survive their first year. In fact, hundreds of different species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and even birds have been known to use gopher tortoise burrows. Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) live in the dry, sandy uplands of the southeastern United States with the largest remaining populations being in Florida and Southwestern Georgia. Also, observe your speed limits. Try to spot one on your next visit during spring, summer or early fall! This means that the more you can learn about the gopher tortoise, the more you can prepare if one or more should arrive on your property. Get a gopher snake with caution. Dig a trench about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) wide and 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) deep around the area you want to protect. Keep poking until you feel the soil "give.". Gopher tortoises are the only tortoise found in the southeastern United States and are easily distinguishable from box turtles (the only other terrestrial turtle in the region). head. Oleander is toxic to pets and children. Burrow blasters/detonators will also work on: badgers, ground hogs, pocket gophers, prairie dogs, voles, and other burrowing animals. 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. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Wash the trap using unscented soap and warm water. Gopher tortoises prefer the open understory forest ecosystem of the longleaf pine forest, which for millennia has been maintained through periodic . Haru says I'm not the boss of him and that he'll do what he wants and that he's clearly being abused because I can't read his mind and give him exactly what he wants. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Get-Rid-of-Gophers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Gophers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Get-Rid-of-Gophers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid137300-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Gophers-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"