His grumpy resting face might not make him seem like the life of the party, but since he set up camp in the back corner of the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, Carson the Tortoise has dazzled guests with his personality. At least, that’s what Kristin Dillard, the executive coordinator for the mansion, will tell you if you have the chance to hang out with Carson in his specially-built enclosure. Last week marked his five-year anniversary at the mansion, and to say he’s a popular guy would be an understatement. “He’s social,” she told the Appeal, while Carson munched on grape leaves and studied his caretaker and guest steadily. Dillard said that he’s more than willing to come out of his burrow when called by name, and he seems to enjoy meeting new people. When Gov. Brian Sandoval first adopted Carson in June 2016, he jokingly calling himself the “tortoise whisperer” because of how quickly Carson warmed up to him. Dillard mentioned that whenever she crosses paths with Sandoval, he makes a point of asking how Carson is doing. As for current Gov. Steve Sisolak, he visits Carson almost every day after work. His daughters are also big fans. Dillard said that Ashley Sisolak likes Carson so much that she adopted her own tortoise to keep at her home in Las Vegas. But don’t be fooled: keeping a tortoise is no easy task. Originally a rescue tortoise, Carson was 11 years old when Sandoval adopted him and deemed him the Carson City mascot. His previous caretakers lived in Clark County. They bred too many tortoises to take care of, which is not illegal in Nevada, but strongly discouraged by rescue groups. Tortoises can’t be released into the wild after they’ve lived in captivity, and they can live more than 50 years. Many end up outliving their owners.
Carson himself is approximately 16, so he has a long line of Nevada governors to go. Dillard mentions that she hopes future governors are as willing to care for him as Sandoval and Sisolak have been. “I never thought I would know so much about a tortoise,” Dillard said, laughing. On cold nights when Carson can’t be left outside, he sleeps in a box in her office. Dillard also keeps up with his diet and activities. He enjoys dandelions, grape leaves, and the occasional long bath to keep him hydrated. During the winter, mansion staff move him to a heated shed to brumate – hibernation but for tortoises. Speaking for herself, the governor, and the mansion staff, Dillard said that what has surprised her most about living with Carson is how easily everyone has become attached to him. “He brings your blood pressure down,” she said. “Even when things are crazy, he’s just Carson.” For more Carson the Tortoise content, you can follow his adventures on Twitter, @CarsonTortoise, where he posts fun facts, jokes, and tortoise words of wisdom.
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