Bob, the turtle, was seen scratching an itch while swimming around his tank at the Two Oceans Aquarium and we can’t get enough!
Cape Town, South Africa (10 March 2020) – It has become evident that while Bob the Turtle is living at the Two Oceans Aquarium, he plans on using it as his personal spa.
The pamper loving Green Turtle arrived at the aquarium in November 2014 after being found severely injured at the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
After his rescue, his injuries were assessed, and it didn’t look good. Bob was underweight for his age, weighing only 16.6kgs. He had severe bruising and a possible fracture of the bottom shell known as the plastron. He also had a loss of scales and exposed bone.
His name was inspired by the fact that he was too buoyant and “bobbed” around the tank. After a few days of being rehydrated, Bob’s rehabilitation slowly started. Due to his injuries, the team at Two Oceans Aquarium knew he had a long road to recovery ahead.
Now years later, Bob lives life in the lap of luxury. If he isn’t receiving a full-body exfoliation from the guys in the tank, he is using his surroundings for a good shell scratch.
When Bob is ready, the aquarium hopes to release him back into the big vast ocean so he can live a long and full life.
The aquarium wishes to educate people on how to better protect turtles in the wild. All it takes is a few simple actions which can save other turtles from going through Bob’s ordeal.
The aquarium shared a video taken by Martine Viljoen, a hyper-lapse of Bob scratching his shell on a rock. Take a look below. If you would like to support Bob and other turtles, you can donate to the aquarium here.
When you just can’t reach that itch… 🐢
Turtles, like Bob, scratch their shells against rocky overhangs and other debris as a way of cleaning themselves. It (probably) also feels great!
Thanks for the #hyperlapse @MartineViljoen 📸 pic.twitter.com/SCX68dQ30y
— Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) March 10, 2020
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