does this infuriate you?

[pdrobber]

Laura's post in the "rides" thread made me think of the subject...and I found this video.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/D72EDFEB967A4008894D33906D0D0351/tortoise-ride.aspx?lastvcid=771479

 

[Marty333]

Some people are really immature. How would you like it if a 150lb person was sitting on you and smacking you to move. Thats just plain wrong.

 

[matt41gb]

Not in the least. A neighbor kid rode on my 100 lb sulcata last year with no ill effects. That aldabra has no clue what is going on.

-Matt

 

[dmmj]

I am thinking the size part gets me mad the most.

 

[Tracy Gould]

That's horrible poor thing

 

[pdrobber]

Matt- Hmm. interesting. Maybe it's not really hurting it but why not just leave it alone, ya know?

 

[Laura]

That was probably a wild tort and illegal to do that.. I assume they are protected??

my commment was from a memory from when I was little at the San Diego Zoo. They used to have saddles on thier Galop torts and kids could ride them. I was about 3 i think... I SO wish I had a pic of that!

 

[sara]

A child would be cute, small, weightless and harmless to a tort of that size. However an adult should know better, and have some common sense. But then agian, common sense isnt very comon.

 

[dmmj]

If I could teach common sense I would be a billionaire.

 

[motero]

Size matters, in this case that guy is rude. On the other hand I let anyone who is under about 30lbs ride my 80lb sulcata, only briefly of course. That limits it to about four and under.

 

[Robert]

Carrying excess weight is hard to judge for some animals. I never like to support elephant or camel rides or those types of exploiting enterprises. But, i used to own a Siberian Husky. When I would take him hiking, I would load up his pack with extra weight. The more weight he carried the happier he was.

I think the key is watching out for signs of distress. Most animals will let you known when they are unhappy with a situation.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[matt41gb]

That tortoise was virtually unaware of that guy on his back. It didn't last very long and no harm done. That animal could carry 10 of him with no problem.

-Matt

 

[dmmj]

When I was young my neighbor had a great dane, and I used to ride him around the yard he seemed to like it, often coming up to me. Of course I was like 4 or so and this great dane was huge, I mean HUGE. I think it was wrong for an adult to climb on him and then slap him like a horse. And I use the term "adult" loosely.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

I do not like it at all!

 

[RianSeeking]

I remember the tortoise rides at the San Diego Zoo. As a child I was so fascinated and also slightly frightened by the "really big" tortoises.

 

[dmmj]

does anyone remember the galap they had at knott's berry farm many many moons ago? I seem top be the only who remembers it, it was where camp snoopy is now located.

 

[RianSeeking]

I don't think I remember Knott's withOUT Camp Snoopy. But we didn't go there very often.

 

[Candy]

That tortoise was virtually unaware of that guy on his back. It didn't last very long and no harm done. That animal could carry 10 of him with no problem.

-Matt

You can start teaching now DMMJ, here you go.

 

[matt41gb]

I don't say keep doing it, but that one time deal didn't hurt him.

-Matt

 

[armandoarturo]

It might not be hurting the tortoise at all..
but from my point of view... its totally wrong.
I dont like when people makes fun out of animals and stuff like that.
I guess thats why I hate Circus so much :s
I REALLY REALLY H A T E them :S