STORM2K

We just found the cutest baby Gopher Tortoise. He was on our stairs leading up to our office trailer. Terry almost stepped on him.

They are an endangered, protected species. So I could get fined if I'm caught with him.

I'm going to take him home so we can take some pictures, then set him free where he can dig holes in the woods behind our practice room.

If he is endangered call your local game warden. They will come get him and place him in a protected area.

Thanks Linda! I hope I don't get in trouble for taking him but he would not have survived on that construction site.

I do not believe for a minute you will get into trouble. Actually they should commend you for rescuing him and recognizing him for being endangered. Let us know how it goes!!

I agree. They'll be grateful for you rescuing the cutie and helping to get him back into a safe environment. Heck, they'll probably even take some pics too and catalog your find in order to acknowledge how many (or how few) of them are out there in the wilderness.

As soon as George gets home from work (he's working OT until 7:00), we are going to take some pictures of him.. He is sooo cute!! I wish I could keep him but I know he needs to be in an environment that is safe and right for him.

I will post some pictures on my Webshots tomorrow if you guys want to see him.

I just e-mailed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission about him. Hopefully I'll hear back soon.

I would call them personally Mary.

Great job Mary! I'm looking forward to hearing about your conversation with them.

Check out my pictures of the Baby Turtle:

http://community.webshots.com/user/hurricanegirl

He's so cute!!! I also love "Ratboy" LOL!

Have you spoken with anyone yet from the state?

Gosh that turtle is small.

And Rattboy is just spoiled rotten. lol.

OMG you guys! The Florida Wildlife Commission told me to just put him back where I found him. Nobody is going to come and get him.

I explained to them this was a construction site and most the trees and wooded areas are being removed and that's why he was confused and didn't know where to go.

They said just find a safer place to put him, so he won't get stepped on. There are still some woods behind our office trailer, which is probably where he came from. I guess that's what I'll do.

Glad you guys liked our pics of Rattboy!! He is a pretty kewl cat. I've had him for 10 years and he IS spoiled rotten!

Stephanie wrote:He's so cute!!! I also love "Ratboy" LOL!

Have you spoken with anyone yet from the state?

I called them this morning at 9:00 am but I got sent on some errands and didn't have time to post until I got back.

Unreal!!!! I can't believe they would snub their nose at an endangered species. Bunch of idiots!

Another idea is to call the local college to find a marine biologist.

Mary, this one is a baby. Must have disturbed the nest during the construction. They get rather large.

I found this too. http://www.gophertortoisecouncil.org/ Give them a call or send them an email.

I guess it slipped their minds that they are supposed to protect endangered species.

Last month we rescued a little water turtle about that size in our yard while doing "poop patrol". My son was mowing and the poor thing would have been mulch inside of 5 mins. As soon as my daughter spotted it, it had a name (Rocky) and a habitat in her bedroom. She fed it tuna and lettuce. But after reading online about how much care is involved, I convinced her to set it free in the back pond. It's amazing how much bodily waste can come out of a cute little 2" turtle!

Great pics, Mary. Rattboy rocks!!! What a dude.

Thanks Donna and Linda!

I have been doing a lot of research on these Gopher Tortoises. I should probably contact that lady Laura at the Gopher Tortoise Council and see what she has to say about this.

I was also thinking about calling the Jacksonville Zoo, as well as the First Coast News.

I found another page that says the babies like to eat spinach leaves and strawberries, so I will stop by the store after work and get some.

George and I are going to talk about this tonight. I just walked around the site and I just can't see putting him back here. It's too dangerous. The wooded area is all fenced in and I can't get back there.

My boss Mike said that the wooded area will be destroyed before the end of the job and he will eventually die if I put him there. He told me not to bring him back here.

The zoo is an excellent idea.

Your boss is correct. He does not need to go back to that site. Makes me wonder where that turtles family is. Looks like it is a newborn to me.

Keep us posted Mary.

Well, thank goodness you came across him Mary. At least he's in good hands for now!

Thanks you guys!! I just got back from Winn Dixie and I'm going to fix him some baby spinach leaves and strawberry slices.

I'm already getting attached to the little guy.

George will probably take some more pictures tonight before we go to band practice, if he has time... He's working late again.

I kept going outside and looking for more little ones today, but I didn't see any. I'll let you all know what's going on.