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Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Fort Matanzas National Monument, 2016.

The gopher tortoise is considered a keystone species because of its role in landscape ecology wherever they are found. What service do they perform that is so important? The gopher tortoise digs burrows throughout its range, providing habitat for at least 360 other animal species, including everything from snakes, frogs, mice, birds and spiders to crickets, beetles and many other insect species. These burrows are quite extensive, reaching thirty feet in length and an amazing six feet in depth.

U.S. National Park Service

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Fort Matanzas National Monument, Code: FOMA

National Park Service Facebook Photos

Title: Fort Matanzas National Monument
URL: https://www.facebook.com/FortMatanzasNPS

20160430

04/30/2016

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Organization: Fort Matanzas National Monument
Address: 8635 A1A South, Saint Augustine, FL 32080

Thursday, December 8, 2016 6:28:27 PM

Thursday, August 10, 2017 7:21:40 AM

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