Tiptoe, a sulcata tortoise owned by Caitlin Doran, went viral in a video showing him approach a plate of vegetables at his own unhurried pace—then eat with surprising speed. The clip featured carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers, and its appeal came from the contrast between his slow arrival and eager meal.
What happens in Tiptoe’s viral eating video?
The clip shows Tiptoe heading slowly toward a lunch plate before tucking in. Doran called the meals she made for him “veggie charcuterie boards.” The Daily Paws profile describes the foods in the viral video as carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers; it does not establish that these foods make up his regular or complete diet.
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According to Doran’s account in a 2021 interview with Daily Paws, the first video passed one million views within an hour. About a year after it was posted, the profile reported more than 12.2 million views and two million likes for the video, and nearly four million followers for Tiptoe’s TikTok account. Those are historical figures reported in 2021, not current counts.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWho are Tiptoe and Caitlin Doran?
Tiptoe is an African spurred tortoise, also known as a sulcata tortoise. Doran’s family adopted him when she was seven. In the 2021 Daily Paws profile, he was reported to be 19 years old and to weigh 175 pounds. Those figures describe him at the time of that report; they do not establish his present age or weight.
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- High fiber level and Low Starch - Grass hay based diet.
- Contains vitamins A and vitamin E - For eye and skin health.
- Contains live probiotics - Helps support gastrointestinal health.
- No artificial colors.
- Best for arid-zone and grassland herbivorous tortoises and lizards such as the Aldabra, African Spurred/Sulcata, Desert, Egyptian, Galapagos, Gopher, Greek, Leopard, Pancake, Radiated or Yellow-Footed tortoise, as well as Chuckwalla and Uromastyx lizards.
Doran said she started making videos of Tiptoe in July 2020, after months of unemployment. She had seen creators prepare meals for their families and realized she already prepared food for Tiptoe each day. “I was like, okay, I do this for Tiptoe all day anyway, so I might as well make a funny little video of it and post it so I can put some smiles on my friends’ faces,” she told Daily Paws.
The profile also captured why Tiptoe matters to her beyond the videos. “From the moment I got him, he has been by my side,” Doran said. She added that he “makes me a better person and helps me recognize what’s truly important in life.”
Rank #2
- Tortoises need hay as part of a healthy diet
- Second-cut hay which is rich in proteins and vitamins
- Hand-packaged to avoid sticks and branches in your pet's food
- Feed daily to support your tortoise's dietary needs
Does the video show what sulcata tortoises should eat?
No. It shows one meal made for Tiptoe, not a complete feeding plan or veterinary guidance. The carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers in the clip should not be taken as a recommendation for a sulcata’s everyday diet.
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For general care context, manufacturers describe sulcata diets as centered on appropriate forage and high-fiber plant foods. Mazuri says its Low Starch Tortoise Diet is suitable for African spurred/sulcata tortoises and advises providing forage and fresh water daily. Zoo Med describes its Grassland Tortoise Food as a maintenance diet for sulcatas and recommends a high-fiber, low-protein diet that includes appropriate grasses and leafy plants. These product descriptions do not show that Tiptoe eats either brand or replace advice from a reptile veterinarian.
Rank #3
- Formulated for Russian, Greek, Sulcata, Leopard and Pancake Tortoises.
- Added vitamins and minerals
- No artificial colors or preservatives
How long do sulcata tortoises live?
The 2021 Daily Paws profile gives a typical sulcata lifespan of 80 to 120 years. That is a species-level range cited by the article, not a prediction or guarantee for an individual tortoise.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High fiber level, low starch - Stimulates natural diets and supports digestion
- Supports eye and skin health - Contains vitamins A and E
- Designed for young tortoises - Smaller extruded particles than Mazuri's other tortoise diets
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- Great option for many types of baby tortoises - Including Burmese, Indian star, elongated, red-footed, Aldabra, African spurred and sulcata, Russian, desert, Egyptian, Galápagos, gopher, Greek, leopard, pancake, and radiated tortoises
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- Antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin A. To help support the immune system and eye health.
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