HANAHAN, S.C. — A missing African Spurred Tortoise is back home safe after Hanahan police located the runaway reptile lumbering down a sidewalk Sunday, bringing traffic — and officers — to a very slow, very determined halt.
Police say they were responding to a call about a “suspicious pedestrian blocking traffic,” only to discover the pedestrian was, in fact, a 70‑ to 100‑pound tortoise who had apparently decided to explore the neighborhood without notifying its humans.
READ MORE l Hanahan Police Nab High‑Speed Hopper After Brief but ‘Chaotic’ Pursuit
The department described the suspect as “armed with a heavy‑duty shell and a zero‑nonsense attitude,” adding that the tortoise was briefly considered for charges including reckless walking, loitering, and resisting a swift transit. Officers clocked the reptile at a blistering 0.2 mph — a speed experts classify as “please, I beg you, move.”
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The pursuit ended peacefully after officers deployed de‑escalation tactics involving fresh greens and gentle pep talks. The tortoise was safely secured and later reunited with its owner and returned to its “shell‑ter,” prompting the department’s triumphant update: “Returned to its owner and shell‑ter. Thank you!”
Fun Facts About the African Spurred Tortoise (Your Slow‑Moving VIP):
- They’re the largest mainland tortoise in the world, often weighing 90–200 pounds.
- They’re surprisingly fast for their size, capable of reaching top speeds of roughly 0.3 to 0.5 miles per hour.
- They can live 80–100 years, meaning this escape artist may have many more adventures ahead.
- They’re known for their stubborn personalities, which officers politely described as “zero‑nonsense.”
- Native to the Sahara’s edge, they’re built for survival — and apparently, for sidewalk strolls.
No injuries were reported, though officers admit the tortoise showed “impressive stamina” and “absolutely no interest in traffic laws.”
