In the wild, the world’s fastest land mammal and one of the slowest reptiles would never cross paths as companions. But at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Center in Florida, an extraordinary bond has formed between Tuesday the cheetah and Penzie the tortoise—a friendship so unusual it has left visitors and scientists alike in awe.

Penzie, a 20-year-old tortoise, has been a longtime resident of the conservation park. Tuesday, despite her name, was born on a Wednesday in 2018 and has lived at the center her whole life. From an early age, the pair were introduced—and quickly became inseparable.

Park facilitator Christine Janks affectionately describes them as “joined at the hip.” They nap side by side, wander their shared enclosure together, and even share meals. In fact, Tuesday has picked up a taste for some of Penzie’s favorite foods, happily munching on avocados and even tortoise pellets.

“She steals his food,” Janks laughs, noting how the cheetah has adopted some of her slow-moving friend’s habits.

Visitors are often stunned to see a sleek, powerful cheetah lounging peacefully next to a tortoise, showing no signs of aggression. While cheetahs in the wild are capable of taking down prey as large as wildebeests, Janks reassures that Tuesday poses no threat to her shell-clad companion. “They have been together from an early age, so the chances of her being aggressive are minimal.”

What makes their bond so captivating is the way it defies expectations. Predator and prey, speed and slowness, strength and patience—all coexisting in harmony. For the guests who flock from near and far, catching sight of Penzie and Tuesday together isn’t just entertaining, it’s heartwarming: a gentle reminder that friendship knows no bounds, not even across species.