Funny story. I was driving home from work and didn’t realize the 70-lb tortoise I rescued from a busy eight lane road was THAT big until I got home. My husband’s reaction to the size of my latest rescue, an African spurred tortoise, made me look at this gorgeous creature with fresh eyes. I suppose I had so much adrenaline pumping while I picked him up from the street in traffic, I didn’t notice I had lifted a giant into my car with a monsoon rainstorm in the distance.

We named him Monsoon and welcomed him to the family. This tortoise has quiet a personality and is equal parts hungry and active. He’s lovely!