Goldie The Tortoise Enchants Neighbors On Prospect Park West

The Slope is gaga over Prospect Park West’s newest celebrity, a 51-year-old tortoise named Goldie.

Reporter Leslie Albrecht spotted Goldie out for a walk with owner David Manzuarte near Prospect Park West and 13th Street on Wednesday, as fans young and old peppered the duo with questions about what the tortoise eats and how much he weighs. It’s definitely a fun read, so be sure to check out Leslie’s story over on DNAinfo.

Smitten with the idea of bringing up a tortoise of your very own? Here’s a few things to consider from the website Sulcata-Station:

Sulcata tortoises (like Goldie) get big. Really big. A full grown sulcata can weigh anywhere from 70 to 150 pounds.

A well cared for sulcata tortoise can live for over 50 years (as evidenced by Goldie), so you need to make sure you’re dedicated to a long-term pet commitment.

A sulcata tortoise requires sunshine and daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees. Nighttime temperatures can be cooler, but should not drop below 60 degrees. Since NYC winters can be rough, it’s important  that you have plenty of indoor space, proper heat, and a UVB light for your sulcata tortoise.

Have you ever owned a tortoise? What advice would you give to anyone considering taking one in as a pet?

Photo by jherskowitz