Gus turns 100: Halifax museum to celebrate beloved tortoise’s birthday this weekend
A tortoise that has lived in Nova Scotia museums since the 1940s is turning 100 this month.
The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History is ringing in Gus the Gopher Tortoise’s birthday with three parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day.
“It’s a chance for people to come in and celebrate all things Gus,” said museum manager Jeff Gray.
The weekend celebrations will also include special turtle crafts, museum tours and birthday cupcakes in honour of Gus.
Gus was born and raised in Florida at the Ross Allen Reptile Institute in Silver Springs, Fla.
In 1942, Don Crowdis, the director of the Nova Scotia Provincial Museum, bought Gus for $5 and brought him back to Canada.
For many museum visitors, Gray says part of Gus’s appeal is his longevity.
Gus, the resident gopher tortoise at the Museum of Natural History, walks on the lawn as he celebrates his 90th birthday at the museum in Halifax on Sunday, August 12, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)
“We have a lot of grandparents who come with their grandchildren, who will remember coming to see Gus when the museum was over on Spring Garden [Road],” said Gray.
After a century of life, Gus can be a bit of a curmudgeon, but Gray says he is still open to meeting new people.
“Being around new people never seemed to bother him,” he said.
In his more than 80 years at the museum, Gray says Gus has likely had millions of interactions with different people.
“It’s always wonderful to have new people see Gus for the first time,” said Gray.
While the life expectancy of gopher tortoises in the wild ranges between 40 to 80 years, Gus being in captivity has likely contributed to his old age, said Gray.
“We never really know how long he will be with us, so we try and celebrate every day with Gus.”
Carrie Drake, naturalist interpreter at the Museum of Natural History, carries Gus, the resident gopher tortoise, as he celebrates his 90th birthday at the museum in Halifax on Sunday, August 12, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)
Some of his favourite foods are berries, lettuce and bananas, but when he’s strolling the museum grounds outside, dandelions and grass are on the menu.
In June, the museum opened a small exhibit so people can learn more about the time Gus has spent at the facility.
To learn more about Gus, or the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, you can visit its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Mookie Betts leads Dodgers past Blue Jays 4-2; Toronto drops fifth consecutive game
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5, including a triple and an RBI single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.