PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says on Saturday, deputies came across a tortoise attempting to cross State Road 20 in Interlachen, according to their Facebook post.
Upon further inspection, the sheriff's office says the tortoise was identified as an "African Sulcata," which are native to the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The post states that "wildlife experts at Florida’s Wildest Animal Refuge" say that these types of tortoises are known escape artists and can dig themselves out of enclosures.
The sheriff's office further states that the tortoise "likes people and head pats" and if it is your pet, please contact them at 386-329-0800 and police will put you in contact with the refuge.
However, those looking to adopt the tortoise, the sheriff's office has already pumped the brakes on that idea saying, "this fella is not up for adoption."
"If he is not positively claimed, the refuge has agreed to give him a home," the Facebook post reads.
Furthermore, the sheriff's office does not know the gender of the tortoise so, if it is yours, the post states, "that might be a question" to help identify the tortoise's handler.
