Tortoise Area

The Tortoise Area features multiple species of tortoises from around the world, including sulcata, red-footed, and Florida gopher tortoises. These long-lived reptiles can live over 100 years and are important ecosystem engineers in their native habitats.

Florida's native gopher tortoise is a keystone species, creating burrows used by over 350 other species. Gopher tortoises are threatened by habitat loss from development across the southeastern United States.