Meet Tina!
Tina, the Turtle, lives in the Children’s Room of Katonah Village Library. Tina is a Texas river cooter, a freshwater turtle who lives mainly in the Southwestern United States.
In November 1992, a baby turtle and lizard were left at the Library’s door. While the Young Adult Librarian at the time kept the lizard, Tina stole the hearts of the community. A Name the Turtle Contest in the New Year of 1993 bestowed the honor of naming the Library’s turtle to one lucky winner. From over 100 entries, the name Tina won!
When Tina arrived at the Library, she was tiny and weighed barely 1 lb. Over the years, she has outgrown several of her tanks. In 2012, Tina turned 20 years old and festivities began with the Town of Bedford Supervisor’s official proclamation of “November 17th as Tina the Turtle Day”. Celebrations commenced once more for Tina’s 30th birthday in 2022 with a town-wide party.
Tina likes to eat turtle pellets, fruit, freeze-dried shrimp, peeled grapes, and lettuce. (But only the Library staff can feed Tina, so please don’t give her food.)
Tina also enjoys being outside her tank in the Library’s Serenity Garden, where she has a dedicated enclosure.
