The Gopher Tortoise, Hero of the Apalachicola Forest
In The Gopher Tortoise, Hero of the Apalachicola Forest, the dry and sandy conditions of the Florida Panhandle make it susceptible to lightning strikes and forest fires. Fortunately, there is one remarkable creature that has helped hundreds of other species survive the flames. This video is excerpted from BBC's Natural World Florida: America's Animal Paradise, a series displaying Florida’s diverse wildlife and its resilience against increasing environmental threats.
Lesson Express
Q: How is the landscape of the Apalachicola region different from the Everglades?
A: The land is dry and sandy and is favorable to longleaf pines. The Everglades are wetlands and a marshy habitat.
Q: How is a forest fire beneficial to the forest?
A: The fire clears the scrub brush on the forest floor, which allows more trees to start growing.
Q: How does the gopher tortoise help other animals in the forest?
A: The tortoise shovels out tunnels with his feet to escape the fire. Many other animals use these burrows as shelter from fires and other extreme weather.
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