Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area

Two weeks ago Sam and I finally ventured out to  Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area in Aiken County South Carolina. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is found in the southeastern USA, from Louisiana to the southern parts of South Carolina. The majority of it's range is in Florida. They prefer dry sandy soils with thin tree canopy cover, and are typically found in the coastal plain in sandhill, coastal dune, scrubby flatwood, prairie, and pine-mixed hardwood systems. Fire is a key mechanism necessary to maintain the required habitat for the tortoise, maintaining low growing plants (their main diet), and preventing dense forests to occur. 

Habitat loss and degradation has lead to a dramatic decline in the gopher tortoise's population, and it is now a federally listed threatened species in the western portion of its range, and a candidate species in a portion of its range. 

Their burrows can go over six feet deep and extend over 25 feet in length. Many other species includes snakes and mammals use their burrows for shelter. We visited on a cool day, so it was not surprising that we did not get to see any tortoises. 

prickly pear

I have wanted to visit the preserve since hearing about it shortly after moving to South Carolina 3 years ago. The preserve has a beautiful longleaf pine system being restored and maintained.