For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Contact: Wanda Goodman or Johnny Brokelsby, more info below

One of the Nation's Oldest Residents Living in South Dakota

Rapid City, S.D. – One of the nation's oldest living residents will celebrate his 128th birthday with thousands of families from across the country at Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, South Dakota this June. A tortoise, Methuselah was born in 1881 in the Galapagos Islands and made the move to South Dakota in 1956.

"Methuselah, as this gentle tortoise likes to be called, weighs in at 600 pounds, and is nicknamed "Earl" after my father who founded Reptile Gardens in 1937," said Johnny Brockelsby, public relations director of Reptile Gardens. "I met Methuselah when I was 5 years old. He is a strict vegetarian who moves incredibly slow with a stress-free and peaceful lifestyle here at the park."

Since he is a tortoise and does not need to be in water, the South Dakota climate suits him well. He loves nothing more than spending some days in mud holes. The mud cools him and his friends on hot summer days, keeps insects away and is all a part of his feel-good, stress-free lifestyle.

In conjunction with Methuselah's birthday celebration, Reptile Gardens will also celebrate its 72nd Annual Guest Appreciation Weekend on June 13- 14. Activities will take place throughout the weekend for children and their families. Families will also enjoy eating cake and watermelon and drinking Coca-Cola. They will be able to join in the celebration by taking the opportunity to see more than 200 reptile species.

"Methuselah has been a great addition to our park ever since his arrival and is one of the major highlights here. After all, he is the oldest, living resident in South Dakota and one of the oldest in the nation," said Brockelsby. "Children love him and he loves them. We welcome everyone to stop in and enjoy this year's celebration!"

Fast Facts:

• Methuselah is part of the largest living tortoise species, from the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos tortoises are listed as Endangered Species.
• Methuselah could grow to be over 700 pounds and has an expected life span of up to 200 years.
• Methuselah and other tortoises are more strictly land based and cannot survive in water over their heads.
• Male tortoises are generally much larger than females of the same species.
• Galapagos tortoises are strict vegetarians, feeding on various grasses. Methuselah lacks teeth (as do other tortoises), but his jaw is lined with sharp ridges which come together like a pair of pinking shears. Methuselah is especially fond of watermelon, and other fruits and vegetables.
• Reptile Gardens is one of South Dakota's oldest and largest tourist attractions and is still family-owned and operated.

Contacts:

Wanda Goodman, (605) 773-3301, wanda.goodman@state.sd.us
John Brockelsby, (605) 342-5873, johnnyb@reptilegardens.com