The gopher tortoise is a keystone species, meaning that it's very important to the health of the ecosystem it inhabits. Gopher tortoise burrows provide shelter to hundreds of different animals, ranging from frogs to owls and even endangered indigo snakes.

How do gopher tortoises help the ecosystem?

Some of the animals that use these burrows include indigo snakes (another protected species), foxes, and burrowing owls (yet another protected species). The gopher tortoises also help the ecosystem by grazing on low-growing plants and passing the seeds, distributing them to different locations.

What would happen if the gopher tortoise went extinct?

The gopher tortoise is a keystone species, meaning its extinction would result in measurable changes to the ecosystem in which it occurs. Specifically, other animals, such as gopher frogs, several species of snakes and several small mammals, depend on tortoise burrows.