THE ADVERTISER (Norfolk, UK) 17 December 09 Meet the turtle who loves his sprouts

Many eight-year-olds would turn their noses up if they were offered Brussels sprouts for dinner.

But for one aquatic youngster at Great Yarmouth's Sea Life Centre the chance to chomp through the vegetables is certainly not one to turn a snout up at.

For George the green sea turtle likes nothing better than to tuck into sprouts twice a day in the centre's main tank.

However, as the eight-year-old, who is only a child in turtle terms, eats the Brussels to keep its shell in tip-top condition it has after effects well known to people sitting next to sprout lovers at dinner tables - flatulence.

Because of water bubbling up from the well-fed turtle, Sea Life staff have lowered the tank's water level to prevent any bubbles setting off overflow alarms.

The precaution was taken after a sprout-loving turtle at Weymouth Sea Life Centre triggered alarms due to his excessive wind production.

George, who weighs about 46kgs and whose sex is unknown due to its age, has been fed Brussels for a week and after a hesitant start they are now one of the animal's favourites.

Darren Gook, senior marine biologist, said: “At first George did not take to them at all. But now George can't want to chomp on them - they seem to be his favourites now.”

George, who has been at Yarmouth for three years, also eats broccoli and cabbage twice a day and has one meal of fishheads a day as well.

George will not reach maturity for another 20 years and could reach up to metre and a half in length and weigh 400kgs on reaching adulthood.
Meet the turtle who loves his sprouts

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• GBR Press: Turtle who loves his sprouts - W von Papineäu, Thu Dec 24 08:39:00 2009