Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Wyneken, Jeanette

Abstract

The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) lives in upland habitats throughout its life. Recent rapid urbanization of coastal Florida is resulting in large scale habitat fragmentation that negatively affects this and other upland species. Losses of upland habitats result in regulatory actions that include mitigation programs and animal relocations which currently occur in the absence of understanding region-specific behavior and habitat needs. Gopher Tortoise populations are similar to one another in that males have larger home ranges than females, males defend burrows and mates during the breeding season, all have a high degree of home range overlap, and forage on similar vegetation types. This study shows that Southeastern Florida Gopher Tortoises differ from those elsewhere in that they maintain relatively small home ranges, forage throughout the year, engage in social interactions yearround, and have a bimodal (late winter-spring and late summer-fall) breeding season. My study identifies differences in activity, behavior, and home ranges in a South Florida population that may refine management strategies that include reconsideration of restocking Northern populations with individuals from South Florida.

Extent

65 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00000739

Format

pdf

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