Speedy Pie is our curious 6 year old African Sulcata Tortoise. We found her on the road 4 years ago when she was about 2 years old and 6 inches in diameter. She is currently 12″ in diameter and weighs 16 pounds. She loves eating vegetables and fruits and sometimes knocks over the cat food to get a little treat even though she does not need animal protein in her diet. She gets fed a nice salad twice times per week. She stayed inside for years parked at the refrigerator until this nice habitat was built for her. She has access to the beach at the pond but doesn’t go in it except to drink. She basks in the sun during the day and stays in her Teepee for protection at night. She patrols the perimeter of her habitat several times per day checking for loose bamboo. She eats the fresh tomatoes growing over her border although watermelon is her favorite. She looks like a dinosaur when she eats and can run after you fairly fast if she knows you have food. She flips sand on her to keep cool at times. She will grow to 24″ and 70-100 pounds. Her species originated from Northern Africa but she was most likely bred here in Florida since the tortoise has been in the US so long. She can live till age 70 so our Grandchildren will have to love her as we do. You can tell a female from a male from their shell curvature. We are currently growing a variety of vegetables, grasses and lettuce types for her and her mini counterpart, Sailor.
Manatee Sanctuary, inc. 