The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History by Patricia Sawyer Ashton and Ray E. Ashton, Jr.

I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised when a copy of this book arrived at our facilities. As an Oklahoma native, transplanted to Minnesota , my experiences with Gopher Tortoises was almost nil other than a handful of run-ins with wild specimens over the years while photographing turtles and alligators in Florida . I sat down with my copy of The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History and was hooked, reading the entire book from cover to cover . . . twice! I had talked briefly with Ray at the Expo in 2003 and he had mentioned that he had two Gopher Tortoise books in the works. I had sort of expected a detailed, ultra-scientific endeavor as I knew his and Patricia's passion for these tortoises spanned three decades and hundreds of projects and many hundreds of hours of research into every facet of their lives.

Ray and Patricia's background in education shines through in this book. I hope that their goal of having this book in every school in the Southeast is realized sooner than they hope. This colorful book vibrates with energy. It places an intense focus on this species which has become perched precariously on the edge of man's dozer blade. For more than 30 years the Ashtons have championed these tortoises. Their Ashton Biodiversity Preserve and Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative are two of the most active conservation organizations in the southeastern United States and they work tirelessly to promote the conservation of turtles and tortoises through workshops, research projects, internships, and by simply keeping the publics' attention focused on these amazing creatures.

This book is not only a glimpse into the lives of these tortoises, but into the lives and relationships of the dozens of species of plants, insects, amphibians, other reptiles, birds, and mammals that are affected by this integral member of the sandy, coastal ecosystem. Sections include Meet the Gopher Tortoise, The Burrow, How We Learn About the Gopher Tortoise, Daily Life, Where the Gopher Tortoise Lives, and How We Help the Gopher Tortoise. Within these larger sections are dozens of informational tidbits relating to natural history, feeding, relationships with other creatures, and the research conducted by the Ashtons and their research teams. There are also a fine Glossary and Bibliography for those wanting to explore further.

The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History is a wonderful book for all ages. It is a fascinating look into the lives of these tortoises and is simply a great book for those interested in conservation on all levels. Its colorful and creative layout makes it easy to read and a fun book to sit down and explore.

Ashton, P. S. and R. Ashton, Jr. 2004. The Gopher Tortoise: A Life History . Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota , FL. 187 color photos. 68 pp.