Spinner Shellebrates Her 25th Year With American Tortoise Rescue!
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM American Tortoise Rescue
February 2022

Spinner is probably 35 or 40 years old, but what matters is her amazing resilience to live so long with her disability.

Spinner Turtle

Happy Birthday Spinner!

What a doll and an amazing turtle she is! Spinner arrived at the sanctuary 25 years ago.

She was an adult box turtle already, but she came with a major problem. She had been abused by youngsters who spun her around by her legs causing her to permanently walk in a circle. This made it impossible for her to eat by herself. Every time she went to bite food, she instead slowly spun in a circle. Without human help, she would starve to death. One of her eyes has atrophied, but she sees perfectly.

Spinner is part of a group of special needs turtles who live together in our turtle hospital. Their outdoor time is in a safe large house that provides sun and shade, but is predator proof. Spinner loves giant mealworms and bananas, among other foods. We feed her by hand, or Marshall uses small forceps to feed her worms.

We’re guessing she is probably 35 or 40 years old, but what matters is her amazing resilience to live so long with her disability. We are honored to be her caretakers.

Join us in wishing her a happy birthday!


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