A FAMILY was shell-shocked after their pet tortoise Victor turned out to be a rare giant breed and grew to weigh nine stone.
A baby tortoise, similar to young Victor ... before he started to grow[GETTY]He was bought as a wedding anniversary gift 14 years ago.
But no one realised he was actually a Sulcata Tortoise, the third largest species in the world.
Victor – named after Victor Meldrew in TV’s One Foot In The Grave – measures 2ft from head to tail and will grow for another 35 years.
Victor and new owner Andy Browne [SWNS]He seems happy now, though, and even comes when you call him
He could live for 150 years and finally weigh up to 14 stone.
Already he is too large for the family’s home and has been rehomed with Andy Browne, who runs a rescue centre for 400 reptiles in Highworth, Wilts.
Former farmer Andy, 47, drove to Liverpool to collect the creature for free.
He said: “The family was distraught to give him up – but he just bulldozes everything in his way.
“He seems happy now, though, and even comes when you call him.”
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