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An orange tabby cat lies on his side on a couch while a small tortoise rests in the curve of his belly. 10 / 31

An Orange Tabby Became a Very Warm Bed for a Tiny Tortoise

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An orange tabby lies stretched out on his side, his white-tipped paws relaxed and his eyes half open with the look of a cat who has not a care. Settled into the warm curve of his belly, a small tortoise has pulled in his legs and is resting on the soft fur. A laundry basket and a houseplant stand in the sunny room behind them.

Orange tabbies are known for their friendly, laid-back personalities and their love of lounging. A warm belly is a very popular place for a nap, and the cat seems happy to share it. Tortoises, being cold-blooded, are drawn to warmth, so a furry cat is an inviting heat source. Still, a tortoise should be supervised on a couch and never left at height. If you keep a tortoise, you should make sure he has proper lighting and heat in his enclosure, and your reptile vet can help you with the details.

We can call the tortoise Gus. He has found the best bed in the house, and he is not in a hurry to give it up. The tabby takes a long breath, and the tortoise rises and falls with it, like a ship on a gentle swell. A lazy afternoon is the best kind, and this one has been going on for hours. Even the dust in the sunbeam seems to settle slowly around them.

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