Spike, a Giant African Spurred Tortoise, is a permanent resident of the National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX.

As soon as we approached his pen, he started walking toward us from the far side of his enclosure, stopping to pose along the way.

I’ve just learned this morning that Spike recently suffered injuries as a result of a fire in his enclosure. I wish Spike a full recovery and hope this trauma doesn’t affect his gregarious personality. 

Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.
– Henry David Thoreau