🐢 Meet Tank: The 100-Pound Genius of the Sanctuary

Meet Tank, the gentle giant and unofficial intellectual of the American Tortoise Rescue sanctuary. A 27-year-old Sulcata tortoise, Tank weighs over 100 pounds and is known not only for his size but also for his smarts. He’s a staff favorite and truly lives up to his name—solid, dependable, and impossible to miss.

Tank came to us at age 4, after a traumatic start: his Sulcata roommate was tragically killed, and Tank needed a safe home. Since then, he’s grown into a confident, curious tortoise who loves his Mazuri tortoise diet, long sunbathing sessions, and investigating every corner of his enclosure with surprising speed and strategy.

📸 Tank’s Shellfie Contest! 

Tank is the king of the Shellfie—now it’s your turn! Take a photo of yourself with your tortoise, your best turtle-themed outfit, or even a turtle-inspired art piece. Just don’t forget to tag #TanksShellfieContest to enter.

Let’s flood the internet with turtle love and honor Tank’s unstoppable spirit.

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

And check out all the contests here!

📚 Fun Turtle Fact:

Sulcatas are incredibly intelligent for reptiles—they remember routines, recognize their caretakers, and can even navigate obstacles to get where they want to go. Tank proves that tortoises are more than just slow—they’re clever, too.

Thank you for following Tank'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 see your entries in Tank's Shellfie Contest!

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