Timothy (tortoise)
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Timothy (estimated 1844 – April 3/April 4, 2004) was a Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise who was thought to be approximately 160 years old at the time of her death. This made her the UK's oldest known resident.
Timothy was found aboard a Portuguese privateer in 1854 by Captain John Courtenay Everard, of the Royal Navy. The tortoise served as a mascot on a series of Navy vessels until 1892 (she was ship's mascot of HMS Queen during the first bombardment of Sebastopol in the Crimean War, then moved to Princess Charlotte followed by Nankin). After her navy service she retired to live out her life on dry land, taken in by the Earl of Devon. On her underside was etched the family motto, "Where have I fallen? What have I done?"
Timothy was originally believed to be a male tortoise, hence her name. In 1926, Timothy's owners decided that he should mate and it was then discovered that Timothy was female. Despite this useful information, mating attempts were unsuccessful. Timothy's owners did not change her name, and even continued to refer to her with the masculine pronoun.
Timothy was buried near the place of her demise, Powderham Castle, the Earl of Devon's home.
Timothy was also the name of a pet tortoise owned by Gilbert White. White's tortoise was also eventually revealed to be a female.
[edit] Books
- Rory Knight Bruce - Timothy the Tortoise (2004)
- Verlyn Klinkenborg - Timothy: Notes of an Abject Reptile (2006) (about Gilbert White's tortoise).
