The sandy soil is home to the gopher tortoise. Real estate development and a decline in the gopher tortoise population threaten the mouse's future. Therefore, conservation efforts focused on the gopher tortoise aid these species as well. The Texas tortoise, unlike other species of gopher tortoise, is not an adept burrower. The endangered gopher tortoise can also be found there. Species of note include the Florida scrub jay and the endangered gopher tortoise. Gopher tortoise stew was popular with some groups in Florida. On average, each gopher tortoise needs about to live. In 1977, William Trippett raced his Gopher Tortoise, ST. Reduced gopher tortoise populations may also be a factor of the frog's demise. Gopher tortoise could potentially lose of its habitats if Florida's population doubles. The gopher tortoise ("Gopherus polyphemus") is a species of turtle in the family Testudinidae. Florida worm lizard ("Rhineura floridana"), and the Gopher Tortoise which is an important keystone species.