A determined gopher tortoise has made itself at home in Nancy Cyphert’s front yard in Fort Myers. This unexpected visitor is not only digging a massive hole under her house but is also causing concern for the stability of the home’s foundation.
“It’s not a pipe burst or a sinkhole,” Cyphert said. “All this dirt here is from it. Dig it. It just digs and digs and digs.”
For two weeks, the tortoise has been tirelessly constructing its tunnel, leaving Cyphert and her family worried.
“That’s what worries us. You can see down, but we don’t know how far down she’s gone, or how far that way she’s gone,” said Cyphert.
The tortoise’s presence is not just an inconvenience. As a state-protected species, it cannot be easily removed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) informed Cyphert that the tortoise might be laying eggs.
“It’s probably laying eggs,” said Cyphert. “We don’t know if they’ll stay there and hatch, and they’ll come out. We don’t have any idea.”
The FWC mentioned that the tortoise could be moved to the backyard, but it cannot be relocated out of the area entirely.
“You can’t touch it, you can’t do anything. It can be moved to our backyard, but they can’t move it out,” Cyphert said.
For now, Cyphert might have to tolerate her uninvited roommate. The FWC explained that the tortoise could potentially be removed with a permit, but if it is nesting and laying eggs, the tunnel stays put.
“We would just like it to have another home besides our home,” Cyphert said.
FWC reminded residents that state law protects gopher tortoises and their burrows. A gopher tortoise relocation permit is required before disturbing them.
Permits are available for various situations, including potential harm to property. FWC staff provide expert guidance to find the best solution for each case.
The first step to obtain a permit is contacting an FWC biologist for an initial consultation. Residents can call (850) 921-1030 or email GTpermits@MyFWC.com, including photos or videos. Lee County residents can also call (863) 648-3856 for local assistance.