🐢 World Turtle Day® Spotlight: Evil, the Russian Tortoise with a Big Personality

Get ready to meet the resident comedian of the sanctuary—Evil, the Russian tortoise! If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix a tortoise with a mischievous sense of humor, Evil is your answer. From running after people with his mouth open to making honking noises that could rival a goose, Evil is the troublemaker we all secretly love.

Evil's antics are legendary. He’s always on the move—chasing everyone around with his mouth wide open, especially Susan, whose pants have become his favorite target for a good ol' nibble. 🐢👖 If there’s one thing Evil is known for, it’s harassing the other residents and ensuring no one gets through their day without a little chaos. Whether it’s tortoises, turtles, or humans—nobody is safe from Evil’s constant mischief.

And let's talk about his honking noises—when Evil gets in the mood (especially during those, uh, romantic moments), his honking is so loud you’d think a car horn was going off. It's just one of his many unforgettable quirks that make him stand out as the one and only Evil the Russian Tortoise.

But behind the shenanigans, Evil represents the fascinating resilience of his species. Russian Tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii) may be small, but they’re hardy survivors, perfectly adapted to harsh, arid environments. In the wild, they endure blazing heat and long periods without food or water—sometimes even brumating (hibernating) for up to nine months a year!

🕺💃 Join Evil’s Dance Contest!

Evil might not have the smoothest moves, but he sure knows how to steal the spotlight! Now it’s your turn—show us your best turtle-inspired dance moves. Whether it’s a turtle spin or a Russian tortoise shuffle, we want to see you hit the “dance floor” (real or imaginary) and honor Evil’s spirit of fun and chaos.

Tag your videos with #EvilsDanceContest and join the fun!

Winners will be featured in our official World Turtle Day® highlights.

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

And check out all the contests here!

Educational Fun Fact:

Russian Tortoises are expert burrowers, often digging tunnels up to six feet long to escape the extreme heat. Their ability to survive on very little food and water makes them perfectly suited for life in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Thank you for following Evil’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 moves in Evil's Dance Contest!

Stay tuned for more videos and updates on all the fun, and remember—when you see Evil coming, watch out for those pants!