🐢Meet Popcorn (aka Poppy): The Romaine-Loving Survivor with a Sunny Disposition

Popcorn—affectionately known as Poppy—is one of the most beloved and resilient residents of the sanctuary. A male Sulcata tortoise, Poppy came to us 24 years ago from a Chicago apartment where he had been fed rice cakes and popcorn (yes, really). Malnourished and severely misshapen from years of improper care, his early days were anything but easy.

But with time, sunshine, and a steady diet of the good stuff (hello, Romaine!), Poppy blossomed into the gentle giant we know today. He may not move fast, but he knows how to enjoy life: basking in the sun, napping in his favorite spots, and munching on leafy greens with a peaceful rhythm that reminds us all to slow down and soak up the moment.

📝 Popcorn’s Poetry Contest!

Popcorn’s story is one of quiet strength, which is why he’s the perfect muse for our World Turtle Day® Poetry Contest. Write a poem—silly, sweet, or serious—and share it with the world.

Tag your work with #PopcornsPoetryContest and help us celebrate turtles through your creativity.

Join in on Facebook or Instagram - share your best work by May 23, 2025!

And check out all the contests here!

📚 Fun Tortoise Fact:

 Sulcata tortoises are the third-largest tortoise species in the world. They can live for more than 70 years, thrive in dry climates, and are known for their strong personalities and deep burrowing instincts.

Thank you for following Poppy’s journey and for supporting the sanctuary. 

We’re so grateful to have you as part of our turtle-loving community, and we can't wait to read your entries in Popcorn's Poetry Contest!

Learn more and find more ways to shellebrate on May 23rd and all year long: worldturtleday.org/wtd