Five giant tortoises settling in to new life at Leeds Tropical World

Tank, Scoop, Dizzy, Roley and Muck outgrew their former home in Cheshire

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 5th Mar 2025
Last updated 5th Mar 2025

Five giant tortoises are starting a new life at Leeds Tropical World, after growing too big for their previous home.

The five sulcata tortoises have moved from Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire to the north Leeds zoo.

They've been named Tank, Scoop, Dizzy, Roley and Muck.

Abigail Hardwick, animal officer at Tropical World, said:

“They all have coloured markings on their shells so we know who is who."

"Tank is the biggest male and the most boisterous, he can often be seen pushing the other boys out of the way to be first to the food bowls.

“They’re all settling in well!”

The Sulcata tortoise' native habitat is on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, with the species having a life expectancy of around 70 years.

They can grow to weight around 80kg.

The group joins the meerkats, marmosets, reptiles and insects already resident at Tropical World.

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