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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: ROBERT on 20/10/2006 17:20:39

Title: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: ROBERT on 20/10/2006 17:20:39

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc23%2FSUEDONIM%2FtortoisetinaBNPS_450x291.jpg&hash=a438e4376ebb0a8d78e1216eb76caaf7)

" Pimp My Tortoise
Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Tina the tortoise has been given a lift after being fitted with a suspension system and a pneumatic tyre to help her cope with muddy terrain.

The three-legged reptile can now go 'off-road' after the 4x4-style system was attached to her shell.

Tina was fitted with a plastic wheel four years ago to replace her rear right leg.

But our increasingly warmer autumns mean Tina hibernates later in the year, leaving her battling to cope with muddy grass and slopes and dead leaves.

So the rudimentary wheel has now been replaced with an air-filled tyre and a spring suspension system with shock absorber.

Speedy Tina can now explore areas of her enclosure at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire, which have been out of bounds to her in the past.

The spur thigh tortoise was donated to Longleat in 2002 when she seemed to be depressed because of her lack of manoeuvrability.

She rapidly recovered when the plastic wheel was fitted but it wore out and buckled over time as she tried to access rougher parts of her enclosure.

The new wheel and suspension system were made for Tina by model maker Simon England, from Frome, Somerset.

The large rubber wheel and adapted axle were stuck on to Tina's shell with an animal friendly adhesive. "

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=21578&in_page_id=2

Title: Re: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: Karen W. on 21/10/2006 14:49:53

That is so cool!

Karen

Title: Re: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 23/10/2006 13:53:17

Excellent! [:)]

Brand new forum at
http://beaverland.forumup.us
More than just science

Title: Re: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: ROBERT on 24/10/2006 13:35:41

When is Tina the tortoise getting the custom paint job ?, (perhaps red/orange flames) [:)]

Title: Re: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: Karen W. on 24/10/2006 14:45:46

Cool, Our old Totoise had our address painted on her shell, As she would always leave our home pond and head for the river... All the neighbors would find her at the river relaxing and bring her home.. It was really quite funny.. I was always amazed that she could make the trek all the way down to the river without being run over crossing the road to get there!! It was Crazy!  She was quite cool. But she came and went as she pleased for many years..

Karen

Title: Re: "Pimp My Ride" (Tortoise Version)
Post by: ROBERT on 27/10/2006 10:53:14

The ideal custom paint job for Tina would be a German WWII helmet, for that "Hell's Angel" look.  [:)]

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc23%2FSUEDONIM%2FTina_alter_ego.jpg&hash=7a09c4226fba6ca13798299eaf283e95)