Gus the Gopher Tortoise A tortoise tells his story

This is a children's book about Gus a Gopher tortoise. In this book Gus shares his life and story.The book contains custom art illustrations to help Gus in his discussions. Gus lives in a burrow located in sand dunes on the coast of Florida. He describes in first person how Gopher tortoises live and eat, and how they provide shelter to other creatures on the dunes.Gopher tortoises are recognized as a keystone species, in that their presence and activities are essential to the dunes ecology, and the well being of different animals in that habitat. Gus will introduced us to some of these animals. Gopher tortoises are some of the oldest living land species here in Florida and are now threatened. The threat comes mainly from humans that are competing with Gopher tortoises for their habitat.Gus lets us know how we can help.The book also describes conservation actions underway to help preserve the Gopher Tortoise population. Proceeds from sales of this book will go to the Friends of the Marine Science Center to support that center in their tortoise rescue efforts