When Septimus, a 23-year-old marginated tortoise, went into hibernation in his owner’s garden in Gosport, Hampshire, no one could have imagined the ordeal awaiting him underground. During his long sleep, rats gnawed through his front legs, leaving him severely injured. By the time he resurfaced, his wounds were infested with maggots.

Owner Darren Strand rushed his beloved pet to the vet, where he was given two heartbreaking options: either amputate Septimus’s legs and fit him with tiny wheels, or put him to sleep.

The decision was clear. Using putty and fiberglass, vets attached a pair of wheels taken from a model aeroplane to the underside of his shell. It was the first time this veterinary team had ever replaced front legs with wheels.

At first, Septimus was weak and struggled to adjust, but with determination, he quickly learned to move again. Soon, he was turning himself around, rolling backwards, and even zipping across paths and freshly cut grass. His favorite snacks—dandelions, strawberries, and cucumber—are once again within reach.

“He’s a very sprightly little character and very sociable,” said Mr. Strand. His daughters, Tabbie and Fran, proudly watch their tortoise thrive with his new wheels, even laughing when he’s caught red-mouthed after raiding the family strawberry patch.

Vet Ben Trimmer, who led the surgery, explained: “Sometimes a tortoise can survive with three legs, but when both front legs are gone, it’s either this kind of operation or the end. Thankfully, the wheels worked perfectly.”

Now 23 cm long and rolling happily around his home, Septimus is a living reminder that resilience—and a little ingenuity—can give even the smallest creatures a second chance at life.