Septimus, a 23-year-old marginated tortoise from Gosport, Hampshire, was in for an unexpected ordeal when he emerged from hibernation with severe injuries.
While burrowed in the garden of his owner, Darren Strand, he was attacked by rats, which gnawed his front legs. When Septimus surfaced, he was infested with maggots, leading vets to advise amputation of his damaged legs to prevent further complications.
Darren Strand, 49, a property developer, explained that they were unaware of Septimus’s exact location in the garden during his hibernation.
“When he came back up, he was in a bad way – his front legs had been gnawed at by rats,” Strand said. After a swift trip to the vet, it was determined that Septimus’s only chance at life was to replace his legs with wheels from a model airplane.
The small wheels were carefully affixed to Septimus’s yellow and brown shell using a special putty, and he adapted swiftly to his new mode of mobility.
“He got the hang of moving with the wheels quickly, though he was very weak at first,” said Strand, noting that they keep a close eye on him to ensure he’s moving comfortably. Now, Septimus can turn and even reverse, something he previously struggled with.
Septimus’s recovery has been remarkable. Back to his usual self, he snacks on dandelions, strawberries, and cucumber, living indoors with his mother, Margo.
Strand’s younger daughter Fran, age nine, shared a lighthearted detail: “When he eats strawberries, you can tell he’s been at them because he has red lips.”
Vet Ben Trimmer, who performed the operation at Downland Vet Group in Emsworth, Hampshire, noted that while tortoise attacks during hibernation are rare, they do happen—typically from dogs or foxes. Rat attacks are less common but can be severe. In Septimus’s case, both front legs were beyond saving.
Trimmer explained, “We used fiberglass to secure the wheels onto his shell, opting for model airplane wheels as they are the ideal size and shape. The setup even allows Septimus to still reach the ground with his head to eat.”
Thanks to this inventive solution, Septimus now zooms along pathways and freshly cut grass, embracing his new wheels with vigor. The Strand family couldn’t be happier to see him enjoying life once again.
