Hi my name is Boulder and I’m an African spurred (Sulcata) tortoise. I’m originally from the Saharan region of Africa but I’ve been living at Hollyview since I was a hatchling.
I came here 14 years ago after I was snatched from Africa and smuggled into this country through Heathrow. Luckily the police found me and I was rescued.
I love living at Hollyview, there’s plenty of grass and weeds to eat and a lovely tortoise enclosure where I hang out with three other Sulcatas and lots of smaller friends too.
Being 14 I’m really still a youngster, with a life expectancy of about 80 years. I’m pretty laid back, taking life at my own pace. I like chilling out with my mates and going for a paddle in the stream on hot days.
I don’t hibernate, but in the winter I love keeping nice and toasty in the tortoise hut which is kept at a balmy 80-90 degrees. I have also been known to have a short stroll in the snow when the mood takes me.
It’s fair to say I’m never going to win a 100 metres sprint race, but I can get a bit of a wiggle on when I spot my favourite treats - strawberries and watermelon.
This last few months haven’t been the easiest for me. I’ve had major surgery because I had a problem with my . And you might not know it, but operating on a tortoise as big as me (I weigh just over two stone) is very complicated and needs a specialist reptile vet.
The operation itself lasted six hours and they had to cut a hole in the bottom of my shell. It’s now all sealed up with cement, but I have my very own, custom made, escape hatch!
The vet was wonderful, even though she couldn’t lift me up herself, and I think the people at Hollyview found that carrying me around while I was recuperating, when they had to monitor my food and pooping, was hard work. But I did appreciate everything they did for me, even though I was grumpy when I couldn’t have a paddle for three months.
I’m now back out with my friends here at Hollyview, where we are all really well taken care of. I’d love to be your friend too, and if you want to sponsor me and keep me in strawberries and watermelon that would be great.
Use the form on this page to sponsor the mighty Boulder!