Angie, I found your post! Thank you for directing me to it. Oh how lovely to hear about Zola’s wonderful life style with you both. He was just as lucky to find you as you were to find him. Very heart warming. If you venture this way in Spring, please message me if you’d like to come by for a cuppa to meet Rodney.Hello, I'm Angie, and I have been hovering in the background of the forum for a long time, learning a great deal, and getting to know a bit about some of the members. It has been very interesting, but I think it's time I ventured on a post.
Our Hermanns tortoise, Zola, has recently celebrated his 20th birthday. He has an unusual lifestyle, but it seems to suit him.
Zola is very strong and healthy, and weighs about one kilo, but you will notice a split in his shell, above his head. When we got him, at about a year old, there was just a tiny nick there, - we were told he had probably been stepped on, when his shell was still soft, and he might have internal injuries. He really wasn't all that well, but he had great fighting spirit, and allowed us to hand feed him - especially cucumber, as he wouldn't drink- and put drops in his swollen eyes. Over time, he bonded with us, and wanted to be with us ( and we with him ) as much as possible.
We live in the South-West UK, on the Devon/Cornwall border ,and a few miles from the sea. We are retired, and like to go out and explore the lovely countryside around us. So after about a year, we decided to try taking Zola with us. We went (with him on my lap in the car) to a pretty stream where he was able to get close to the running water and walk beside it. He seemed very happy with the whole experience, but when we got home, he had what I can only describe as a tantrum, waving his head, arms and legs about furiously! So we interpreted this as meaning that he wanted us to take him out again - soon - and that is what we have done !
For 18 years he hes gone out with us everywhere - every day.
His dad (Richard) carries him in his hand when we are walking anywhere (or under his jacket if it is a bit cold) and he sits happily on my lap in the car -often falling asleep.
He has been to all sorts of places - on the nearby moor - where he once helped rescue a lamb - in underground caverns, through a bluebell wood, to small fishing villages and seaside towns, - and especially to look at the sea. He stretches his neck out as far as he can, and watches the water, following the waves intently.
In fact, Zola nearly always has his neck out so he can get a good view of everything, and people we meet often remark on this and say how intelligent he looks.
We do meet a lot of people, who are often very interested in him - tortoises are not all that common as pets in the UK, and of course we have no native ones. Many people say they have never seen a tortoise before - we often let people touch his shell - we even let a few special people hold him, and they are ecstatic with delight.
Zola is very good with babies,- and especially talented at stopping small children crying !
Living in a rather touristy area, we meet a lot of foreigners, and we always ask for the word "Tortoise" in their own language . So far we have a list of over 40 words !
Having Zola has transformed our lives - through him we have met many interesting people, and some have remained friends years later.
He has his own email address, and sends occasional photos to his friends . But absolutely no Facebook or Instagram.
Zola is a very happy chap, and has no health problems since recovering from his injury at the beginning. He has his beak trimmed regularly by a vet who has tortoises of his own and who is very impressed with how strong he is, but also how calm and tolerant about being handled. He describes him as "Fantastic!"
Altogether we consider ourselves very lucky to have him, and want to do our best to give him a happy life. I realise not everyone might approve of his unusual lifestyle, but he enjoys it, and to us that is what matters.
Here is a photo of Zola at Easter.
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Please welcome Zola
- Thread starter zolasmum
- Start date
Angie, I found your post! Thank you for directing me to it. Oh how lovely to hear about Zola’s wonderful life style with you both. He was just as lucky to find you as you were to find him. Very heart warming. If you venture this way in Spring, please message me if you’d like to come by for a cuppa to meet Rodney.
Looks great you have so much fun with him and he seems to give back.
Great picture Angie!
Happy 22nd Birthday Zola!! 🎂 🎉 🥳
