Florida’s diverse landscapes, from sandy scrublands to pine forests, provide suitable environments for many animals that live underground. These subterranean dwellers create hidden networks of tunnels and chambers beneath the surface. Many species rely on these excavated spaces for shelter and survival.
Meet Florida’s Burrowing Wildlife
Florida is home to several animals that construct and utilize burrows, each with distinct digging habits. The gopher tortoise, a native reptile, excavates burrows characterized by a half-moon shaped entrance with a flat bottom, often surrounded by a mound of excavated soil called an “apron.” These burrows can extend up to 40 feet in length and 10 feet deep, providing significant refuge.
Armadillos, known for their armored shells, are prolific diggers in Florida’s sandy soils. They create shallow foraging holes, typically one to three inches deep and three to five inches wide, as they search for insects. Their main burrows are about seven to eight inches in diameter and can be up to 15 feet long, often located under brush piles, stumps, or dense vegetation.
The gopher frog, an amphibian, frequently relies on the burrows dug by gopher tortoises for its primary shelter. These frogs depend on these underground spaces to protect themselves from harsh weather, predators, and fire, especially during their newly metamorphosed stage. The Florida mouse is also closely associated with gopher tortoise burrows, often digging small, U-shaped tunnels or nesting chambers off the main tortoise burrow.
Moles, such as the Eastern mole, are entirely subterranean, creating extensive networks of tunnels beneath the soil surface. These tunnels serve as their primary habitat for foraging and movement. Some snake species also utilize burrows for concealment and protection. The Florida crowned snake, for instance, spends much of its time burrowed in loose, sandy soils, including existing mounds or gopher tortoise burrows.
Why Animals Dig: The Purpose of Burrows
Animals dig burrows for several fundamental reasons. A primary purpose is to provide shelter from predators, offering a hidden refuge. The underground environment also offers protection from various environmental elements, including extreme temperatures. Burrows help animals escape both intense heat and cold, maintaining a more stable internal temperature.
These excavated spaces are also important for raising young, providing a secure nursery. Some species use burrows for storing food. Burrows serve as refuges during adverse conditions such as fires, floods, or droughts.
More Than Just Holes: Burrows as Ecosystems
Animal burrows, particularly those of certain species, function as intricate micro-ecosystems. The gopher tortoise, for example, is recognized as a keystone species because its burrowing activities create habitats that benefit many other organisms. These burrows can provide temporary or permanent refuge for hundreds of other species, including insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.
This phenomenon, where one species benefits from the activities of another without causing harm, is known as commensalism. Gopher tortoise burrows offer consistent microclimates, protecting associated species from temperature extremes, fire, and desiccation. The presence of these burrows also influences soil structure and can support a greater diversity of plant life. The health of gopher tortoise populations is linked to the well-being of numerous other species that depend on these underground shelters.
Identifying Burrows and Living Alongside Them
Identifying burrows in Florida often involves observing their distinct characteristics. Gopher tortoise burrows are typically recognized by their half-moon shaped entrance, flat bottom, and a fan-shaped mound of loose soil, called an apron, at the opening. The size of the entrance usually corresponds to the size of the tortoise. In contrast, burrows dug by mammals tend to have more circular entrances. Examining tracks or scat near the entrance can sometimes offer additional clues about the burrow’s occupant.
When encountering burrows, it is important to observe them respectfully from a distance. Disturbing active burrows can harm the animals within them. Gopher tortoises and their burrows are protected under Florida law due to their threatened status. Any activities that might impact gopher tortoises or their burrows, such as land clearing or development, typically require permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This helps ensure the continued survival of these important burrowing animals and the many species that rely on their underground homes.