A FAMILY of giant tortoises moved into a specially built home that has been aptly named jubilee house.
Sulcata tortoises Link, Shelby, Lucy and Eccles, who have a combined age of 65 years, are newest arrivals at the popular Mainsgill farm and shop on the A66 and are stretching their legs in the new enclosure and home at the farm.
The sulcata tortoise is the third largest species of tortoise. Each can weigh up 105 kilogrammes, living up to 70 years.
Jack Henshaw said: “Link is the oldest and heaviest. He’s 30 and although I haven’t weighed him, he’s a lot heavier than a bag of spuds. Shelby is 20 years old and she is mother to Lucy, 10, and Eccles, 5.”
Although indigenous to Saharan Africa the tortoises were purchased from a breeder in Essex.
He added: “I’ve had them for a couple of months but we have just built the enclosure and the house, which we’ve named Jubilee House.
“They’re already attracting a lot of attention and they do seem to be settled in quite nicely.
“I’ve always wanted tortoises so I’m happy.”
The farm shop is well known for its exotic collection of animals which includes camels, llamas, ostriches and emus.
Mr Henshaw added: “We’re turning out the birds again because we’ve had to have them inside because of the bird flu, but we’ve been given the all clear to let them out again so they’ll be wanting to stretch their legs a bit.”
