Browse ›
A grey hairless Sphynx cat and a tortoise look over the edge of a raised wooden garden bed full of small plants. 21 / 31

A Hairless Sphynx and a Tortoise Inspected the Garden Together

AI imagesphynx cattortoisegarden bed

A wooden garden bed has two very curious inspectors at its edge. A grey Sphynx cat with enormous ears and wrinkled skin peers down with golden eyes, her chin resting on the board. Next to her, a tortoise has stretched his neck over the edge, pale and weathered, head tilted. In the bed below, clover and tiny herbs grow in the soil, and a concrete wall and a few plants stand in the background.

Sphynx cats have no coat, so they feel the cold more than most cats and need warmth and sun protection, since their skin can burn. They are affectionate, energetic cats who love attention and often seek out warm bodies. Tortoises love a garden, but not all plants are safe for them, so check for toxic ones such as certain bulbs and ornamental flowers. Clover and dandelions are usually safe. Ask your reptile vet for a list of safe plants. A raised bed is also a good way to give a tortoise a safe grazing area.

We will call the tortoise Gus. He has smelled something delicious, and his nose is working hard. The Sphynx, meanwhile, is staring at a small bug. Both of them are lost in their own pursuits, and yet they stand side by side. The garden is quiet, and the afternoon sun warms both of them.

More from this collection

All 31 →
A 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 Hearth
A 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 ShowA brown tabby American Shorthair and a tortoise rest on a knit blanket beside a frost-covered window.A Tabby and Old Gus Watched the Frost Form From a Warm BlanketA tortoiseshell cat lies on a rug while a tortoise stands on her back with his head raised.The Tortoiseshell Cat Held Still While Old Gus Climbed Right Over HerA cinnamon Abyssinian cat and a tortoise sit in an old wooden wagon with a rope handle on a lawn.The Abyssinian and Old Gus Went for a Slow Wagon Ride