It takes only 1 to affect many

[viper69]

Many times people think "so what if that species dies off...."

I've always known the Gopher Tortoise existence affects many species, but I didn't know how many until today, it's mind-boggling the number

It is considered a keystone species by scientists, due to its burrowing nature, which then helps an estimated 360 other animal species who take advantage of those networks of tunnels.

Gopher Tortoise Conservation Plan Updated And Announced By USDA - Reptiles Magazine

The NRCS released its five year plan, which will specifically focus on conserving and restoring the longleaf pine forests where the gopher tortoises live in and build their burrows.

www.reptilesmagazine.com

 

[Tarantuland]

I actually had an assignment this past week for my ecology and evolution class about Kangaroo Rat as a keystone species https://www.jstor.org/stable/1939547

 

[pannaking22]

This includes a species of tick that's a gopher tortoise specialist! So if the tortoise is threatened/endangered the tick is too. But yeah, people don't like focusing on that one as much lol. Hopefully some more conservation work is done for the tortoises because they're so incredibly important for that ecosystem.

 

[schmiggle]

This includes a species of tick that's a gopher tortoise specialist! So if the tortoise is threatened/endangered the tick is too. But yeah, people don't like focusing on that one as much lol. Hopefully some more conservation work is done for the tortoises because they're so incredibly important for that ecosystem.

Not to mention who knows how many gut worms...