DELEON SPRINGS — Volusia County deputies are investigating the death of a man reported missing by his wife and found dead inside a gopher tortoise hole, investigators said.

Deputies searched the 7-acre property at State Road 11 on Tuesday and found Joseph Prokop, 74, deceased in a gopher turtle hole shortly after 10 in the morning, reports indicate.

The case is active but there appears to be no indications of foul play, said sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant.

Prokop's wife, Maria Prokop, 72, reported she last saw her husband in the yard around noon Monday when she left to work. When she returned home at 7 p.m., she did not hear her husband so she went to bed. On the Tuesday morning, the wife realized her husband had not come home, so she searched the property and could not find him. That's when she called deputies, documents indicate.

In a telephone interview, Maria Prokop said her husband always worked outside, took care of his animals and would then come inside.

Responding deputies found Joseph Prokop face down with his head and half of his upper body inside the hole, investigators said.

Volusia County animal control officers had to be called as an aggressive dog would not leave Joseph Prokop's side, reports state. Investigators also called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, saying they found caged alligators and snakes on the property, deputies said.

Maria Prokop said she was surprised to find out Tuesday morning that her husband had not come home Monday so she searched for him.

"I could not find him so I called the police," Maria Prokop said.

Maria Prokop said she knew her husband had animals but did not get involved with what her husband did.

"I didn't feel the same like him about the animals," Maria Prokop said. "But that's who he was. He loved nature and animals."

Maria said she knew her husband had turtles but was surprised to discover on Tuesday that he also had alligators and snakes.

"I did not know of them until the police told me about them,'" said Maria Prokop. "They were here taking the animals and getting all the information about them."

FWC spokesman, Greg Workman, said a pigmy rattlesnake, two Colombian boa constrictors, a large northern pine snake, skinks, piranhas, several turtles and a large Russian tortoise were found on Joseph Prokop's property. Four alligators — 10 feet, 8 feet, 6 feet and 4 feet — were also removed from the property. All the animals were taken and given to appropriate and licensed facilities, Workman said.

Maria Prokop said she will remember her husband as a nature lover.

"He enjoyed feeding the animals and spent a lot of time outdoors," Maria Prokop said. "He was happy doing that."