Missouri’s famous turtle, Peanut, turns 40 years old

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – Missouri’s renowned turtle, Peanut, known for her unique figure-eight shell, is turning 40 years old.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting Peanut’s birthday party Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Peanut the Turtle is known for her peanut-shaped shell as a result of crawling into a plastic six-pack ring at a young age. The ring was stuck around her shell as she continued to grow and developed her peanut-shaped shell.

The MDC said her birthday party is a chance for visitors to meet Peanut and give thanks for her 40 years of public service for spreading awareness about littering.

The birthday party will feature fun activities, including turtle-style birthday food like worms and crickets.

Peanut was found in the St. Louis area in 1993 and was brought to the Saint Louis Zoo. The ring was removed and the zoo named her Peanut. Since then, she has served with the Missouri Department of Conservation as a reminder for the proper disposal of litter.

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