Florida State Sen. Burt L. Saunders has introduced legislation (Senate Bill 1486) that would declare the gopher tortoise as the official state tortoise of Florida.

In some states, once an animal has been named as the official state animal, it can no longer be imported into or exported out of the state.

Gopher tortoises are on the Florida Endangered Species List, categorized as a Species of Special Concern.

Senate Bill 1486 was heard in the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation & Conservation on March 6 and was passed without amendments. The bill also sits in the Senate Committee on Governmental Operations, where it awaits public hearing.

If this legislation is enacted, it will take effect July 1, 2008.

For more information about the legislation, click here.