NEWS-PRESS (Fort Myers, Florida) 06 June 03 Reward $400 for turtle with spurs (Alison Kepner)
Kelly Abrams has plastered her San Carlos Park neighborhood with “lost” signs. She’s handed out more than 400 fliers and recruited the help of neighbors. And then there’s the hefty $400 reward.
All this for a missing turtle?
But he’s no ordinary reptile, the San Carlos Park woman said. Abrams desperately is searching for her African spur-thighed tortoise.
Named for the spurs on his thighs and buttocks, Spike has been missing since May 23, when a neighbor mistakenly let him out of Abrams’ fenced-in backyard. Spike is light brown and about 8-by-8 inches.
African spurr-thighed tortoises cost between $150 and $200, estimated Kaytee Sittler, who works in the reptile department of Pet Kingdom in Fort Myers. Her store has three in stock now.
Abrams acknowledged that the $400 reward is a large sum, but said Spike’s worth it. Such tortoises can live more than 100 years in captivity. Spike is only 5.
“He’s one of those turtles who I knew (would be) with me through my entire life,” Abrams said, adding she looks forward to someday passing Spike along to her 17-month-old daughter, Jordan.
Spike has become part of Abrams’ family. He comes at the sound of her voice and formed a bond with her terrier.
“He has a personality,” she said.
This isn’t the first time Spike disappeared. He ran away seven times before, but the longest he was missing was three days. Abrams found him each time.
Because such tortoises’ main source of food is grass, Sittler said Spike could survive on his own this long if he can hide from predators, which range from birds to dogs.
The county rarely sees tortoises show up on its lost and found roster, said Katie Tardiff of Lee County Animal Services. Such a case might show up once a year, she said.
The county is housing about 150 dogs and a lot of cats, but no turtles, she said.
Anyone with information about Spike can call Abrams at 433-9356.
Reward $400 for turtle with spurs