The tortoise was reported missing Tuesday morning.
A lost pet that slowly wandered away from its Lower Salford Township home Tuesday morning was safely located and recovered hours later, police said.
Police reported via Facebook that an African tortoise went missing from its home on Whittaker Way on Tuesday morning.
A couple of Facebook followers posted they had spotted a similar-looking reptile in their yards, but were most likely snapping turtles.
The African spurred tortoise, or sulcata tortoise, is an endangered species and inhabits the Sahara Desert in Africa. It is often referred to as an “heirloom pet” because it can live more than 100 years and is usually willed to family members. Smaller species are known to live around 50 years and are easier to care for as a pet.
Reaching 30 inches long and weighing as much as 100 pounds, the African spurred tortoise is considered the largest mainland tortoise in Africa and is the third largest tortoise in the world.
