🐍Mascot: "Gopher Tortoise"

Meet the Gopher Tortoise, a mascot that's definitely one of a kind This cute and resilient creature is the proud representative of Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, and it's also the mascot for a school or two, particularly popular in Florida. The gopher tortoise is known for its impressive burrowing skills, creating underground homes that are like cozy little apartments for many other animals too - over 350 species use these burrows for shelter and protection🐾. These tortoises are fire-dependent, meaning they thrive in areas where controlled fires help keep their habitat healthy and full of the food they love, like gopher apples and cacti. They live in small colonies and can be quite the travelers, moving from burrow to burrow when the weather is just right. With their flat underbellies and long lives, gopher tortoises are truly special, and having one as a mascot is a great way to celebrate their unique role in the ecosystem🌿. So, if you ever come across a school with a gopher tortoise mascot, you know they're representing a pretty cool and important animal ⭐