Penzie the tortoise and Tuesday the cheetah are capturing the hearts of Florida park visitors, social media users with their endearing friendship
One of the world’s most unlikely friendships between the world’s fastest land mammal and world’s slowest reptile is capturing the hearts of visitors attending a Florida conservation centre and social media users alike.
Flocking from near and far, guests at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation centre in Florida will stumble across an enclosure containing a cheetah named Tuesday and a tortoise named Penzie, who according to park facilitator Christine Janks, are “inseperable.”
There is almost never a time where the pair are far apart, taking on activities like napping and eating side-by-side.
“She steals his food,” Janks said. “She (Tuesday) has learned to love avocados — his favourite, and has also learned to love tortoise pellets.”
Penzie and Tuesday at Florida conservation centre love sharing meals. (Photo courtesy: Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation)
So how do a cheetah and a tortoise become an inseparable duo?
Tuesday was born at the wildlife centre in 2018, ironically on a Wednesday. “I just like the name Tuesday,” Janks said. Penzie, who is approximately 20-years-old is a long-time resident of the conservation centre.
Penzie the tortoise and Tuesday the cheetah are an inseparable duo. (Photo courtesy: Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation)
Just how safe is Penzie with a full-grown cheetah, who are known for their hunting prowess and capable of taking down a full-size wildebeest?
“They have been together from an early age, so the chances of her being aggressive is minimal,” Janks explains.