What could be better, amongst high tech aficionados, than 3-D printing? Why, 3-D printing that makes life better for reptiles, of course!
A recent article shone a spotlight on a scuted creature in distress that was assisted in a very hard-shelled way by this new technology. It seems that Moses, a Gulf coast box turtle at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport, was utterly immobile, as it was missing its two back legs. Cue a colleague of its keeper, who goes by the redditor moniker of jawscritters, as well as jawscritters’ enthusiastic reddit 3-D printer community. Their suggestions led to Moses being equipped with a 3-D printed wheelchair that allows him to scoot around with ease. The rear wheels are held in place by means of a harness strapped over the domed creature’s shell.
And it really does mean the turtle goes…zoom!
The article details other recent creative tech solutions to reptilian problems. One creation mentioned was a LEGO wheelchair designed to help heal a turtle’s cracked shell without the risk of further injury. A LEGO car kit replaced another turtle’s missing back legs with a pair of wheels that would be the envy of many a toy-car enthusiast. And a 3-D printed harness helped weigh down yet another turtle suffering from…well, bubble-butt syndrome (Yes, it afflicts turtles too, though differently than it does humans).
Even better for others who might find a terrapin in similar need: the designs used for Moses’ wheelchair have been made public online, so they are available to all.
Let’s hear it for those who put their love of tech to such a kind and worthy cause!