MOSH celebrates Tonca's birthday

Unique experience this Saturday to see the turtle out of its habitat

Jennifer Waugh teased by her co-anchor Bruce Hamilton about whether she would hold a snake. She did it!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tonca is turning 48 years old. The alligator snapping turtle is a favorite among visitors to the Museum of Science and History.

This Saturday will be the only opportunity to see the reptile out of his habitat.

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Emmet is a gopher tortoise who lives at MOSH. He is 70 years old.

MOSH is having a birthday party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be games and crafts, and the public can mingle with critters from the Florida Naturalist's Center.

Birthday treats are available too. Emmet (pictured), one of MOSH's gopher tortoises will play party host. Emmet visited "The Morning Show" on Tuesday. He looks good, considering he's 70 years old.

Jennifer Waugh teased by her co-anchor Bruce Hamilton about whether she would hold a snake. She did it!

You will also have a chance to see the snakes on display at the museum. My co-anchor Bruce Hamilton teased me for not holding the corn snake that visited the studio. As you can see, with some courage, I picked up the reptile.  Fun!

The best time to see Tonca this Saturday will be during his annual checkup with the veterinarian at 2:30 p.m. He will only be out of the pond for 15 minutes so don't be late.

Tonca weighs 172 pounds and has a powerful bite.


About the Author:

Jennifer, who anchors The Morning Shows and is part of the I-TEAM, loves working in her hometown of Jacksonville.