Biologists from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources discovered a 4.5-foot alligator in a gopher tortoise burrow in Tattnall county, Georgia. The discovery was unusual as alligators typically winter near water sources, and gopher tortoise burrows provide shelter to hundreds of species, including mice, snakes, and owls. Biologists suspect the alligator may be the same one found in the burrow for two consecutive years. The team also believes that the alligator’s ability to find the same burrow suggests memory involvement. According to the Florida Wildlife Commission, gopher tortoises are the only tortoise species found naturally east of the Mississippi River and are considered a keystone species. Biologists set up a game camera to document the alligator’s behavior.
Alligator Found in Tortoise Burrow Surprises Biologists in Georgia
A team of biologists from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were surprised to find a 4.5-foot alligator inside a gopher tortoise burrow in Tattnall county, Georgia. While hundreds of species rely on tortoise burrows for shelter, alligators are not commonly found in them.
According to the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, alligators typically winter in dens or holes near water sources. The gator found in the burrow, however, was located over 8 football fields away from a significant water source, making it a rare discovery.
Biologists have found alligators in the same burrow for two years in a row, and once in a nearby burrow in 2021. They believe it may be the same gator each time but cannot confirm it.
Gopher tortoises are the official state reptile of Georgia, and their range stretches from southeastern Louisiana to the southern part of South Carolina. They play an important role in their ecosystems and are considered a “keystone species.” This means their removal from their habitat would have a disproportionate effect on their surrounding ecosystem relative to their population size.
One of the critical services they provide is digging their burrows, which can measure up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep. The burrows provide shelter for hundreds of species, making them an essential aspect of their ecosystem.
In conclusion, the discovery of an alligator in a tortoise burrow was an unusual event that surprised biologists at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The event highlights the importance of gopher tortoises in their ecosystems and the critical role they play in providing shelter for other species.
Alligator’s Unusual Behavior Found in Tortoise Burrow
Biologists from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources discovered a 4.5-foot alligator inside a gopher tortoise burrow, which is an unusual occurrence as alligators typically seek shelter near water sources. The team suspects that the alligator is the same one found in the burrow for two consecutive years. Over 350 species, including mice, snakes, and owls, use tortoise burrows for shelter, making them critical to their ecosystem.
According to the wildlife division, the alligator’s ability to find the same burrow again after a year suggests that there may be memory involved. To document the alligator’s behavior, biologists have set up a game camera inside the burrow.
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