Peter the Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanii) has escaped the English autumn to join his owners in Texas. No-one knows how old Peter is, but he’s been with the same family for over 50 years!
There was a bit of a rush on to organise Peter’s flight as he had to travel before he started getting ready to hibernate for the winter. However, Hermann’s tortoises are an endangered species protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. So he couldn’t travel until his CITES export certificate was issued.
Peter stayed with family friends in the UK while the export paperwork was prepared. They were getting increasingly anxious as the days shortened, the weather cooled, and Peter began to lose his appetite.
Fortunately the paperwork was completed before Peter had curled up for the winter, and he was checked in to fly with BA from Heathrow to Houston. Special clearance from UK customs is required for animals travelling with CITES certificates, but the process was rather drawn out. Eventually at the 11th hour Peter got the OK. Time was extremely tight, but BA saved the day by arranging a special car to deliver Peter to the aircraft.
Peter’s family wrote to say:
“Thanks to you all for getting Peter here. He settled into his new home yesterday evening, ate some lettuce and tomato and burrowed into his hay when it got dark.”
Peter makes himself at home
Now this little guy looks familiar – we have lots of them around. Even tortoises fly.
After 50 years in the same family he’s even more special.
Wow, 50 years with the same family. The advantage of long naps… I suspect Peter is glad to be in Texas. It seems like a more appropriate place for a tortoise to live. Do you even have tortoises in England? As for the time it took, your are dealing with a member of the turtle family after all. Things always move slowly with turtles. 🙂 –Curt
No, there aren’t indigenous tortoises in the UK so Peter will probably feel more at home in Texas. That said, 50 years is a long time to spend in one environment, if asleep for half of it!
Oh wow. That’s awesome! Best of luck to Peter
Isn’t it lovely to hear of Peter’s longevity and the new experiences to come!
Yes, it is. Hope he gets his own blog! 🙂
Wuldn’t that be fab! Quite some stories he could tell no doubt.
yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah
Now that is truly amazing! Fifty years is a LOOOONG time but we hope Peter is happy to be in Texas enjoying being with his family again.
Pam
Isn’t it wonderful! We think Peter will grow to love Texas, once he’s had a nice long sleep 😉
Oh! Maybe I am neighbor with Peter =^.^=
Purrs
Peter’s in Houston but if you do travel, please let him know about the best things you’ve learnt about living in Texas!
That would be the perfect buddy for Hell-mut! Can you bring him to me?
Surprises us that you haven’t thought of sending Helmut to join Peter 😀
Ok, I’m honest. That was my first thougt: call AC and send him back home to Dalmatia. But after a while in my crib he really is a good fellow… and he is dad’s buddy now :o)
Easy, that is so good to hear! Thought he might grow on you 😉
Yey for Texas. And Houston of all places. It’s a huge place. Hope he adapts well to the the semi-tropical weather. I am 180 miles north of Houston. I have a get deal of admiration for the family since it is apparent they care a lot for their pet and have given him the best of care.
Peter probably won’t be that interested in much now but when he wakes up it will hopefully be cool enough for him to gradually get used to the heat. His species is happy in that environment so he’ll probably have a ball! We just love how long he’s been with the same family.
He is so adorable – the same family for over 50 years?! WOW! I think I need a turtle friend here at the Hotel Thompson. XOXO – Bacon
Isn’t it a great story! Now Bacon, are you truly sure you don’t just want to share the food source that a tortoise might bring to Hotel Thompson? 😉
Looks around all innocent – who me? Would I do that? Of course not XOXO – Bacon
It was mean of us to even suggest.
Snorts – yeah yeah that’s it. Snorts – busted my friend. You got me! XOXO – Bacon
Wow, that is just incredible! We were looking at turtles in the pet store today and they are fascinating. Hope the transition goes well.
They are fascinating and you have to know what you’re taking on timewise. We do hooe to hear how Peter settles in over time.
Perfect…..Texas is so lucky ♥
He’s a grand ole tortoise by and standards!
I did not know these were endangered… And it is good to see a lovely end to global travel! But it would appear that Peter’s scaly legs look better than mine. 🙂
There are so many types of tortoise but Peter is an example of a very special group. Now Koji, if you could develop the ability to retract your legs in times of stress, they’d be the talk of the town 😀
How truly wonderful that Peter has been so well loved by a family for such a long time!! this is a fab post I love love love it 🙂 🙂 all the best sweet Peter 🙂 have a great day guys hugs Fozziemum xx
We love it too, such a special fellow!
Adorable!!! 🙂
Pretty flew into Houston Sunday afternoon to drive us back to South Carolina – perhapsy and Peter crossed paths unbeknownst!! Glad he’s back home in Texas where he belongs!! 🙂
What a lovely thought! Hope you’re doing well back in Texas, together, as you should be.
Wow Peter is quite a handsome tortoise isn’t he?? Well travelled, mature & wise…..he iz a keeper for sure!!! Thank you for sharing Peter with us!!
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue too..
He has grown some wonderful shapes on his shell in his 50 years. He must have some incredible stories to tell…!
What a great story…I couldn’t imagine undertaking a move like this without experts like you handling the details…So glad Peter got to his new home in time for his long nap
Isn’t it lovely. That’s kind Gizmo – we’re here to take the pain and stress out of the less ordinary types of travel requirements!
The mighty tortoise! Thankfully you guys made everything happen smoothly.. phew :/
When a guy’s got to sleep, he HAS to sleep 😀
It’s lovely to think of him living with the same family all that time.
Quite special. It does make you wonder how many people take on these long-lived pets without any idea of how long they’ll be together. The longer the better as far as we’re concerned.
50 years with the same family Wow, I want a tortoize 🙂 xoxx
Mollie and Alfie
Yup, not the average lifespan of a pet. A tortoise could probably cope with your energy levels Mollie, at the very least by closing shop when necessary 😀
You know how much I love this post, right?
We were going to send a link to you if we hadn’t heard!
I only get to free wi-fi every couple of days. What a treasure in my inbox!
When are the new neighbours due to move in?!
What a journey! Your service always amazes me with the types of animals and the distances you are willing to master just to get an animal back to its owners! BRAVO!
We had several of these growing up. They would turn up mysteriously in our yard, and then disappear just as mysteriously. They were always fun while they decided to stay. One we had used to sit under the apricot tree eating fermented apricots (wasps and all). No, he didn’t seem to mind the stings, and yes he did get inebriated… Hm. Oh!