The Academy of Natural Sciences' live animal centre has, among its many exotic residents (pythons, parrots, Madagascan hissing cockroaches), a large leopard tortoise who has been there for more than 30 years. He was rescued from owners who drilled a hole in the back of his shell, presumably to tie a leash to. On quiet afternoons (seemingly every weekday afternoon once the dozens of raucous school groups have left and Elliott has the place almost to himself) the keeper takes the tortoise out of his tank and he trundles around on the floor. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon packs of Boy Scouts were running rampant so the tortoise stayed in his tank. Elliott seemed content to pat this one instead.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Patting tortoises
The Academy of Natural Sciences' live animal centre has, among its many exotic residents (pythons, parrots, Madagascan hissing cockroaches), a large leopard tortoise who has been there for more than 30 years. He was rescued from owners who drilled a hole in the back of his shell, presumably to tie a leash to. On quiet afternoons (seemingly every weekday afternoon once the dozens of raucous school groups have left and Elliott has the place almost to himself) the keeper takes the tortoise out of his tank and he trundles around on the floor. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon packs of Boy Scouts were running rampant so the tortoise stayed in his tank. Elliott seemed content to pat this one instead.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment