Browse ›
A black cat licks the head of a large tortoise on a woven mat in a living room. 18 / 31

The Black Cat Gave Old Gus a Very Careful Wash

AI imageblack cattortoisegrooming

A sleek black cat leans close to a big, old tortoise and gives his head a careful lick. Her yellow eyes are half closed in concentration, and her pink tongue just touches the wrinkled skin. The tortoise stretches his neck up to receive it, his eyes calm and his shell warmly patterned in gold and brown. A lamp, a coffee table, and a houseplant fill the cozy living room.

Grooming is one of the ways cats show affection. A cat will often lick those she considers part of her family, and a tortoise can seem to fit the bill. It is a sweet gesture, but not always harmless. Tortoises and other reptiles can carry bacteria such as salmonella, so it is a good idea to wash your hands after handling them and to keep cats from licking them too much. Your vet can offer guidance on keeping both animals healthy. Tortoises also need clean, dry skin, and their enclosures should be cleaned regularly.

We can call the tortoise Gus. He does not move, accepting the attention as if it were his due. The cat finishes one side, pauses, and starts on the other. It is the very picture of tenderness between two animals who could not be more different. In their quiet living room, a small act of care is taking all the time in the world.

More from this collection

All 31 →
A ruddy Abyssinian cat crouches outside a weathered barn door while a tortoise looks out from the dark doorway.The Abyssinian Crouched at the Barn Door and Old Gus Looked BackA grey Exotic Shorthair cat sleeps curled around a tortoise on a woven rug outdoors.The Round Grey Cat Wrapped Herself Around Old Gus for a Nap
A grey hairless Sphynx cat and a tortoise look over the edge of a raised wooden garden bed full of small plants.A Hairless Sphynx and a Tortoise Inspected the Garden TogetherA grey hairless Sphynx cat sits at the edge of a stone ledge beside a tortoise facing a lily pond.A Sphynx Cat and Old Gus Sat Still Beside the Quiet PondA cinnamon Abyssinian cat sleeps with her head on the shell of a tortoise on a stone hearth.The Abyssinian Rested Her Head on Old Gus by the HearthA seal point Siamese cat and a tortoise sit by a wooden fence watching hens in the yard beyond.The Siamese and Old Gus Had Front-Row Seats to the Chicken Show