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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.