A woman in Pottsboro, Texas, has been living with her sulcata tortoise for 18 years. Recently, she called the reptile the worst decision she’s ever made. Although she appeared to have no ill intentions when sharing her feelings, many viewed this as rude, prompting users to ask her to give the tortoise up.
TikToker livinglifewithunny, also known as Brandy Barnard, shared her thoughts about her tortoise online. The tortoise and Brandy’s other pets have taken center stage in her recent videos. Still, the one attached above went viral because of its premise. It garnered 8.9 million views, 682,100 likes, and more than 13,200 comments.
The Texas woman started strong, saying that she made “the worst decision” she’s ever made 18 years ago. The worst decision was her pet: a sulcata tortoise that can live up to 100 years, and even longer if properly cared for.
“I went to a pet store. The girls wanted a leopard tortoise. They had sold the leopard tortoise,” Brandy explained. “The guy goes, ‘Well, I have this turtle.’ […] And I said I’ll take him.”
Turns out, Brandy had bought the third-largest species of tortoise in the world. It became apparent years later, as the tiny tortoise now weighs 72 pounds. The reptile’s behavior was also not optimal, as, according to her, the tortoise chases its toes, destroys everything, and routinely rolls in its own feces.
“I don’t want anybody ever to be like, ‘Oh, look at that turtle. I wish I could have one,’ ’cause no, you don’t. No, you don’t,” the Texas woman added. She then jokingly told her tortoise, “We’ve enjoyed you for 18 years, buddy. Somebody else can have the other 80.”
Reactions
Viewers reacted in drastically different ways. Many took her “worst decision” premise and ran with it. One asked, “Why are you so mean to him? He didn’t ask to be your pet.” Another one commented, “Find a sanctuary for him that won’t talk about him like he’s a burden. No offense to you, but he deserves that.”
Others, however, understood that Brandy was being sincere about her experience with her tortoise. One wrote, “We don’t talk about pet regret enough.” Another one said, “As a male sulcata owner, I’ve never regretted a day, and I recommend it to no one.”
In the end, it appears that Brandy will take care of her sulcata tortoise for years to come. Chances are, the little guy will outlive everyone in the house.
