Hunt is on for Britain’s Oldest Tortoise

LONDON - The search is on for Britain’s oldest tortoise, after the demise in 2004 of Timmy*, who reached the grand old age of 160. Tortoises are the longest-lived land vertebrates of all, so owners acquiring one today will need to plan ahead for their pet’s future well-being - a tortoise born in 2009 could still be alive in 2169!

David Alderton, editor of the new Practical Reptile Keeping magazine, is calling for UK tortoise owners to get in touch if they think their pet could be in the running - some kind of documentary proof will be needed to support the claim, and David says “Old family photographs, journals, letters and so on are all good supporting evidence. We want to hear from as many people as possible with stories to tell about their tortoises.”

Owners of veteran, vintage and venerable tortoises are asked to contact David at prk.ed@kelsey.co.uk with details of their senior shelled friends!

*Timmy was a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise who lived at Powderham Castle in Devon. She arrived there in 1892 after an exciting career at sea - she transferred from a Portuguese to a British ship in 1854, spending the following years with the British Navy. On land from 1892, her lifetime saw two Kings, two Queens, two World Wars and numerous Prime Ministers…

Source: Practical Reptile Keeping

For further information, or tortoise photography, please contact: Cressy Brooks, Practical Reptile Keeping PR, +44(0)1303-872933 / +44(0)7876-162461