Meet Georgie: The Tortoise with Unique Tastes

Georgie the tortoise has very specific food preferences. While most tortoises might enjoy the native plants grown especially for them, Georgie would rather munch on common weeds. This unique taste has sparked a wonderful community effort in her neighborhood.

From Conservation Program to Forever Home

Savannah adopted Georgie from Arizona's Tortoise Conservation Program in May. She felt a special connection with Georgie because they share something in common - they're both 30 years old. The program finds homes for tortoises that cannot be released into the wild.

Because Georgie belongs to a protected species, Savannah had to create an approved habitat before adoption. She built a special area in her backyard complete with a burrow and planted what she thought would be tasty vegetation for her new shelled friend.

When Plans Go Sideways

After bringing Georgie home, Savannah discovered something unexpected. Her tortoise showed little interest in the carefully chosen plants. Instead, Georgie preferred the weeds already growing in the yard.

This situation might sound familiar to pet owners everywhere. It's like buying an expensive toy for your cat only to find them more interested in the box it came in.

Neighbors to the Rescue

To make sure Georgie gets proper nutrition, Savannah supplements her diet with kale and dandelion greens. But she also had another idea - she emailed her neighbors asking if she could bring Georgie over to eat their weeds.

The response was heartwarming. The tight-knit neighborhood quickly jumped in to help, offering their best bundles of tortoise-friendly weeds. One neighbor even provided some prickly pear cactus, which became Georgie's new favorite treat.

Georgie's Culinary Adventures Continue

The prickly pear was such a hit that Georgie now sports what Savannah calls her "prickly pear lip gloss" after enjoying this special treat. It's become her signature look for big nights out.

Savannah believes Georgie's unusual food preferences might stem from a poor diet earlier in life. Now, she's committed to exploring different foods with Georgie and ensuring she receives proper nutrition going forward.

Growing Old Together

Despite the dietary challenges, Savannah couldn't be happier with her shelled companion. She's looking forward to their future together, saying she's excited for them to grow old together - though with tortoises often living 50-100 years, Georgie might have quite a few more decades ahead of her!

This heartwarming story shows how sometimes it takes a village - or in this case, a neighborhood of tortoise chefs - to raise a happy, healthy tortoise with peculiar tastes.