Results tagged “tortoise”

Earlier this week a Bronx woman discovered a giant tortoise sauntering through her backyard. Turns out it wasn't a recent layoff from the Bronx Zoo or of the Teenage Mutant Ninja variety, nor was its real name Shelly, as the owner cleared up upon claiming his pet yesterday. "The Animal Care & Control Center says the 60-pound Sulcata tortoise named Tilka wandered from owner Sesser Archibold's home. Tilka is 10 years old and is a very healthy and very active desert species." Wonder how long it took it took the adventurous tortoise to get from point A to point B. Archibold reportedly has a variety of pets at his home, though there's no mention of what types (though maybe he's looking to adopt a porcupine?).

Who doesn't love a giant tortoise story? Newsday reports that a Bronx woman discovered a shelled one in the yard of her Baychester home Tuesday. They note that "the giant tortoise species can grow to be four feet long and up to 660 pounds, and are generally living in remote areas of the world. Experts are unsure of how it has been able to survive on its own in the Bronx." (Maybe it was recently fired from the zoo?) This one measures 30 inches and 60 pounds, and has been named Shelly, of course. She's being cared for at the Animal Care and Control Center, so it's unlikely she'll have a run in with some pranksters on the street, like poor 'ol Myrtle the Turtle.