Did you know that gopher tortoises can live 40 to 60 years in the wild? In captivity, many live 90+ years. The gopher tortoise is recognized as a keystone species because they share their burrows with more than 350 other species.

Both the gopher tortoise and its burrow are protected by the state of Florida. It is also recognized as a regionally threatened species by the Federal government. The primary threat to the tortoises is loss of habitat, but they also face a high risk of road mortality.

In addition to rescuing wolfdogs, Shy Wolf Sanctuary is licensed to rescue and provide sanctuary for these gentle land-tortoises. We are proud to work with organizations such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) in raising awareness about conservation efforts.