The gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) is a medium-sized tortoise that inhabits dry, well-drained habitats. The tortoises dig burrows, which sometimes extend as long as 20 feet and 10 feet deep. Gopher tortoises are often called a keystone species. This is because the tortoise provides homes for as many as 300 species of animals, which would suffer without the burrows. Some animals share the burrows, such as the pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), and Florida mouse (Podomysfloridanus). Some species use the burrow after it is abandoned by the tortoise, such as the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Before Lyonia Preserve was restored, few gopher tortoises were present on the site. This was due to the fact that the historic sand pine scrub habitat prevented the herbaceous growth that the tortoise requires for food.

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