Betty White, a roughly 20-year-old Russian tortoise and resident of Oregon’s Badger Run Wildlife Rehab, decided last fall that she’d had enough of human interaction. She simply vanished.
Turns out, she was just really, really good at hide-and-seek. Or, more accurately, really good at burrowing. The tortoise, aptly named after the legendary actress, spent months tucked away from her caretakers, only to be found recently by a persistent volunteer named Rose.
The Disappearing Act
Betty White and her tortoise pal, Smudge, arrived at Badger Run in December 2023 after their owner passed away. These Russian tortoises are often wild-caught, a practice that's unfortunately decimated their native Central Asian populations. So, the rehab center isn't just a home; it's an educational hub, teaching folks about the perils of the exotic pet trade. Betty White's shell even tells a story of her past: white lines indicating improper growth from a less-than-ideal diet and humidity in her previous life.
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Start Your News DetoxAt the rehab, Betty and Smudge usually enjoy a spacious outdoor enclosure with plenty of digging room for spring, summer, and fall. But when winter rolls around, they're moved indoors to a cozy, UVB-lamp-lit setup. See, these two are "education animals," which means no brumating (the reptile version of hibernation) in the cold. Staying active indoors prevents the metabolic drain of waking up too often during a chill-out period, which can be dangerous for their energy reserves.
Last fall, as the team prepped for the big indoor move, Smudge, being the more sociable one, came right out for shell rubs. Betty White, however, had other plans. She dug in. Literally. Several feet under a heavy, insulated house within their 16 by 8-foot enclosure. The good news? A heavy wire mesh floor meant she couldn't actually escape, just become an expert at evasive maneuvers.
So, Betty spent the winter in her self-made hideout. The team kept watch, hoping for a sign. And then, earlier this month, the Oregon weather delivered an unexpected gift: unseasonably warm temperatures. Because even a reclusive tortoise can't resist a good sunbath. Betty White emerged, blinking, on a Saturday, March 21st, to the surprise and relief of the volunteers.
After a much-needed bath (which, according to biologist Laura Hale, president of Badger Run, Betty was not thrilled about), she was treated to a feast of greens, dried flowers, and calcium. She's now back inside with Smudge, who apparently couldn't be happier to have his pal back, following her around their indoor enclosure all day. Because even a tortoise needs her bestie.
