Meet Zeke, one of our long-time residents and a beloved member of the Earthplace family. Zeke arrived in 1992 after being hit by a car in the wild, an injury that left him missing several toes and unable to safely return to his natural habitat. Despite his early challenges, Zeke has grown into a calm, steady presence in our Animal Hall—an animal who shows us every day how resilient turtles can be.

Zeke is known for his unhurried, thoughtful personality. He likes to take his time exploring his space, testing out new hiding spots, and relaxing under the warmth of his heat lamp. His keepers say he’s a bit of a lover boy, with a soft spot for Nona, the fellow turtle who shares his terrarium, and he likes to keep her in view as he goes about his slow, steady day. Offer him one of his favorite foods, though, and you’ll see another side of him: suddenly alert, curious, and happy to investigate what’s on the menu.

Sponsoring Zeke helps us provide the specialized care that keeps him comfortable after his long-ago injuries—nutritious meals, routine health checks, and enrichment that encourages natural behaviors. More importantly, your support helps us share Zeke’s story with visitors of all ages, teaching them about local wildlife, safe coexistence, and the impact our everyday actions can have on the animals around us.