ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

This lucky tortoise can walk again thanks to a custom-built LEGO wheelchair

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
December 10, 2014
in News, Offbeat
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Ancient turtle embryo preserved inside thick, tough egg
This Lego tape is the best thing you never knew you wanted
Pediatricians swallow Lego toys to see how long it takes to poop them out
Turtle shells hold hidden information about nuclear contamination

When it comes to human prosthetics, there are usually many options available – from simple frames or tools, to advanced, electronic prosthetics. But life isn’t as easy for turtles; such was the case of Blade, a German tortoise with a growth disorder that left his legs so weak that he couldn’t hold himself up. Now, thanks to the ingenuity of this veterinarian, Blade can easily move around using a LEGO wheelchair.

Image by Action Press/REX

When Blade’s human companion, Iris Peste, noticed that the turtle couldn’t get around, he immediately went to the vet; there, a whole bunch of problems were uncovered, including a nasty worm and a debilitating growth disorder. The verdict was pretty grim – Blade won’t be able to walk for a long time.


But that’s where the good news starts. The doctor took it as a challenge, and he started to create a custom-fit solution. Without much time wasted, Dr. Carsten Plischke borrowed some LEGO blocks from her son and started to work. She was able to fit two sets of wheels to the underside of Blade’s shell so that he could then use his legs to propel him forward, basically moving around like in a belly wheel chair.

Image by Action Press/REX

With treatment and time, Blade will probably be able to move around normally, but until that, this is very creative and cheap solution to his problem. This serves as yet another reminder that if your pet has a similar problem, there are ways to help him move around. Dr Plischke said:

‘For people there are walkers, rollators or prostheses but for animals there are no companies that produce something like that’.

Images by Action Press/REX

Tags: legoturtle

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Environment

Lego, the World’s Largest (and Smallest) Tire Manufacturer, Makes a Major Eco-Friendly Upgrade

byRupendra Brahambhatt
4 months ago
Animals

How ‘Dancing’ Turtles Are Helping Scientists Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Navigation

byTibi Puiu
5 months ago
Dinosaurs

Are turtles dinosaurs? Their evolution took its own distinct path

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago
An individual using a Geiger counter to examine a green sea turtle for potential radioactivity in 1957. Image credits: US National Archives.
Animals

Turtle shells hold hidden information about nuclear contamination

byFermin Koop
2 years ago

Recent news

Not Just Hunters: Wooden Tools Unearth the Sophisticated, Plant-Eating World of Early Humans

July 17, 2025

This is How Exercise Supercharges the Immune System Against Cancer

July 17, 2025

Scientists just figured out how to turn moon dirt into water and oxygen just using sunlight

July 17, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.