Page 5 - Print Fall 2013 magazine

Happy Anniversary Hugo!

Hugo, the enormous tortoise, came to Red Rock scale at 33 pounds and 6 ounces. Maxine is our next
Canyon on September 6, 2012. When he arrived, he largest tortoise, weighing in at 16 and 1/2 pounds; she
was recuperating from surgery to remove a bladder probably lost some weight when she laid sixteen eggs
stone and it was quite an adjustment for him to move this spring. This is the second year Maxine laid a
into his large habitat with a spectacular view of Red clutch of sixteen eggs and we think it is some sort of

Rock. Oh, all right, maybe he is a little too short to world record! Max has also grown; he weighs a little
enjoy the view. Hugo was a pet and his people more than 14 pounds.
moved away and left him in the back yard with a bag
of dog food. He may have been lonely, Although the tortoises keep mum about their back-
because he certainly loves to see the grounds, we believe that most of them were pets at one
volunteers and visitors. time. Tortoises make great pets. They don’t have vocal
He will follow volun- chords, so they won’t be barking all night and they are

teers all around the habi- very friendly once they get to know you. If you live in
tat and stand on their Nevada, you can adopt a desert tortoise. They need
Sue Kolar
Sue Kolar
blue booties when they sunlight and fresh air to thrive and you will need to
stop moving. build a burrow in your yard for their shelter. Right now
all adoptions are handled through The Tortoise Group.

Hugo has gained more Hugo and Momma Kathy Go to http://www.tortoisegroup.com for more infor-
Photo by Pat Williams
than 2 pounds since last mation on adopting a tortoise.
year on his new vegetarian diet. He now tops the (Continued on page 13)

Sue Kolar

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