SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gopher tortoises are one of five tortoise species - and the only one found east of the Mississippi.

They are also classified as threatened.

The City of North Port is doing its part in protecting the species by placing signs near tortoise crossing sites to inform and educate the community.

Aaron Zimmermann, a environmental specialist for the City of North Port says the tortoises are a common sight. ”They might be roaming through your front yard or crossing the street,“ he said. ”They live in a lot of places that we live.“

gopher tortoises are also a keystone species; they provide protection for other species that utilize their burrows, he said.

Zimmermann said citizens have had concerns abou

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