Currently the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is caring for eighteen gopher tortoise hatchlings from the wild. Gopher tortoise shells are covered in scutes that are made of keratin, like our fingernails, and should be a hard protective material but for an unknown cause all of these hatchlings are exhibiting soft, pliable shells. To help harden their shells we provide them with proper lighting, routine calcium injections, soak them in warm water baths, and add cuttlebone, a natural calcium supplement,

9K views · 204 reactions | Meet Juniper  ✨ This juvenile gopher tortoise was brought to the Center for care after being attacked by a dog. Meet Juniper and many more patients during a Behind the Scenes Tour!  https://bit.ly/3PLTWcX | Georgia Sea Turtle Center | Facebook

61st Annual Gopher Turtle Race supporting the Panama City Lions Club

Why Is This Gopher Tortoise Head-Banging?

Habitat loss forces FWC to temporarily relax gopher tortoise relocation guidelines