Via @cluck_n_crust_homestead TikTok
A woman found animal, which appeared to be a Gopher Tortoise. Here's what experts say to do in a similar situation.
A woman received an unexpected, injured visitor at her doorstep, prompting her to try to swoop in and help. Only, she realized afterward that it may have been better to call a wildlife agency.
An account that posts under the handle @cluck_n_crust_homestead took a video of an injured tortoise. The clip received more than 34,000 views. Later, commenters explained the tortoise’s significance, providing an extra bit of information. They say that picking up or otherwise messing with the tortoise is illegal in some areas.
In her video, the content creator follows the slow-moving tortoise, which has a clear injury on its back.
“ His shell is injured. We were trying to feed him,” she says. Then the content creator calls someone else, telling them to get water. After a second of filming, the tortoise starts to “run off.”
The TikToker starts to follow it, water now in hand. Eventually, the content creator manages to place a small container of ice water directly next to the tortoise. The tortoise promptly rejects the water. It instead scurrys away into the grass.
“ I wonder what happened to his shell,” the TikToker says.
Some Insight
In the comment section, viewers tried to identify the tortoise.
A commenter surmised what species of tortoise the TikToker may have met. “[That] is a gopher tortoise. Highly protected species. And very illegal to mess with. They are also extremely resilient. And that’s likely an old injury,” they said.
@cluck_n_crust_homestead responded, “No one messed with him. We offered water but didn’t touch him. He ran off.”
In a separate comment, the content creator said, “I thought the injury might’ve been old since it looked like it had been filled with something like cement. Maybe a catch and release by a vet service?”
Indeed, it does look like someone filled a laceration on the tortoise’s shell, potentially protecting it from further damage. It’s unclear, however, whether the tortoise truly is a gopher tortoise or if it was picked up by a wildlife organization previously.
What Is A Gopher Tortoise?
Gopher tortoises are found in the southeastern part of the United States—specifically, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or South Carolina. Commenters mentioned that the gopher tortoise is a resilient species, which is true. AskNature says “it excavates burrows into sandy soil, creating subterranean tunnels that are remarkably resilient to fire, heat, and drought.”
The burrows, while offering the tortoises refuge and protecting them from severe weather conditions, also help shelter 350 other species, according to AskNature. That’s one reason why it’s considered a keystone species.
States such as Florida and Georgia have specific conservation efforts for the tortoise. Urban development has contributed to mass habitat loss, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Why Is It Illegal To Move A Gopher Tortoise With A Cracked Shell?
A few commenters mentioned that it’s illegal to touch or move a gopher tortoise. Is that true?
The answer technically depends on the state, as protections vary. In some areas, the species is considered “secure.” But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that “the western [Distinct Population Segment (DPS)] continues to meet the definition of a threatened species under the ESA. The determination comes after a rigorous analysis of the best available scientific data and commercial information.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that “no person shall take, attempt to take, pursue, hunt, harass, capture, possess, sell or transport any gopher tortoise.”
Wildlife conservationists, such as Defenders of Wildlife, advise individuals not to move the tortoises. “[Not] only can that be bad for the tortoise, but it’s against the law,” the advocacy organization notes.
Instead, Defenders of Wildlife recommends reporting a tortoise sighting to the appropriate conservation commission. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a free reporter app, for instance.
@cluck_n_crust_homestead We had an unexpected visitor this morning. It was a fun surprise. I wonder what happened to his shell? It looks like there’s cement in there? #tortoise
BroBible reached out to @cluck_n_crust_homestead via TikTok direct message for comment.