The gopher tortoise, a protector of Florida’s animals

Florida is home to plenty of species that need no introduction: alligators, crocodiles, panthers, or manatees.

However, a silent sentinel lies within burrows of Florida's grounds.

The gopher tortoise is one of five North American tortoise species, can be found across the southeastern region of the United States and is currently listed as State-designated Threatened, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Small but mighty, this tortoise is considered to be a keystone species for it's role as "apartment builders," says The Nature Conservancy . Being a keystone species means a large part of an ecosystem is dependent upon its survival, according to the U.S. Forest Service .

Gopher tortoises dig burrows that end up not only acting as a home for thems