HotmailTurtle finds romance after getting wheels
10-year-old turtle is able to mate now that she can move around
 | Video |
 |
Vroom! Tortoise gets wheels Aug. 19: Zookeepers in Israel give a disabled tortoise a set of wheels to help her get around. TODAY’s Natalie Morales reports. Today show |
 | Slideshow |
 | Animal Tracks Two Thanksgiving turkeys, a see-through sea creature, a camouflaged catfish, a hungry golden monkey, a kissing pooch – plus more animals great and small. more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | Unlikely friends A pig and a tiger, a monkey and a rabbit, a duck and a dog – these best buddy pairs make some very odd couples. more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | more photos |
 | Video: Pets & animals |
 Who will win Best in Show? Nov. 25: TODAY anchors talk to John O’Hurley, host of the National Dog Show, about what to expect at this year’s competition. |
. |
JERUSALEM - Arava the disabled turtle is using her new set of wheels to get around in more ways than one.
Officials at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo say the 10-year-old spurred tortoise has begun mating since being fitted with a custom skateboard to overcome paralysis of her hind legs.
The 55-pound turtle is unable to move herself forward with her front legs alone. So the zoo's staff built her a metal board with two wheels that can be strapped to her stomach.
Arava arrived in Jerusalem a few months ago from a petting zoo in southern Israel with the unexplained handicap, and found no reptile romance. Zoo curator Shmulik Yedvad says it's not that Arava has come out of her shell with her unique new wheelchair, but that a particularly amorous 10-year-old male has been after her.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM PETS |
 Pets Section Front |
| Add Pets headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide