Posted on 04/03/2010 3:15:33 PM PDT by West Texas Chuck
I'm out mountain biking at the local nature preserve here in Garland, TX, and I find this monster lumbering down the trail, munching on grass and weeds. Gotta be either an escapee or another abandoned animal at Rowlett Creek Preserve. I sent his pix to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and they identified him as Geochelone sulcata, native to Africa. He's about twice the size of my bike helmet, prolly 30 lbs. or so I'd guess. TPWD said he'd never survive here with north Texas winters but he has been spotted in the same general vicinity since last year, so I guess he's OK. I don't have any place to keep him or I would go find him and bring him home. I have contacted local TV to see if they will run a story to try and find his owners, but so far nothing.
Tastes like chicken.
Soup’s on.
Did they give any indication of the animal’s age or how big he would get?
Pretty impressive.
Turtles make good pets. Get a will because he will probably outlive you.......;)
Natives of that area. My sister has 2 of them in FLA but she bought them at a reptile show. One is bigger than that in the picture and if you go out back with painted toes she races over to bite them, thinking they’re fruit!
They are big eaters and fierce fighters of other sulcatas.
Is that reactive armor on that guy? Don’t shoot it!!
It was probably dumped by its owners.
If you're concerned, you could try calling one of the turtle/tortoise rescue groups in Texas.
"Is that reactive armor on that guy? Don’t shoot it!!"
Don'tcha just know that the guy that invented the tank was inspired by one of those? LOL
LOL! So true. Wonderful animals and they live a long time. God’s wonderful creatures.
They get a lot bigger than that. There’s one at World of Reptiles in Massachusetts that’s as big as a car tire.
http://www.reptilesandbirds.com/images/gallery5.jpg
Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish,
Game, or any other dish?
Who would not give all else for two
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
Soo—oop of the e—e—evening,
Beautiful, beauti—FUL—SOUP!
(Sung by the Mock Turtle)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865)
by Lewis Carroll (1932-1989)
You know what a tortoise thinks?
Only with proper marination! ;)
LOL!
IMO, anyone who does turtle rescue has mental problems.
And in my opinion, people that weave all over the road to hit turtles are asshats.......my favorite was when one asshat weaved across the road to hit a huge snapping turtle, he hit the turtle, then the fence and then a tree. I drove by slowly and gave him the finger.....
Probably lonely and looking for a friend.
IMO, the following folks have mental problems:
1) anyone who does turtle rescue
2) anyone who weaves all over the road to hit turtles
3) anyone who thinks that someone who thinks turtle rescuers have mental problems also thinks that people who intentionally runover turtles do not have mental problems
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