A tortoise that rides around on California’s public transit network has become a TikTok sensation with over 10,000 followers.
Sherman the sulcata tortoise is just 11 years old and weighs 55-pounds. He was adopted in 2025 by Wilson Tsai, and has gained many fans as a result of his outings throughout California.
He has recently gone viral for his trips to Vintage Faire Mall, the McDonald’s drive-thru, Costco, car dealerships, and now the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) railway transportation system.
Sherman often escaped Tsai’s backyard
As per Lexington Herald Leader, Tsai said Sherman was energetic from the moment he met the family and it was this that made him stand out against the rest of the tortoises at Cali FID Parrot & Exotics Rescue Sanctuary.
He started escaping through open gates, and making it halfway down the street before neighbors noticed. As a result, Tsai decided to satiate his desire to explore more of the world by taking him around town using a large plastic storage bin.
More recently, he has begun taking trips on the BART network. “Everywhere he goes, he gets a reaction,” said Tsai. “People drop whatever they’re doing, and then they just stare at him nonstop. They take selfies with him; it’s like their entire world just stops when he’s around.”
Tsai now documents all of their outings on social media. Sherman has gained over 10,000 followers on TikTok and over 8,000 followers on Instagram.
Tsai and his family love Sherman dearly and have plans to ensure his continued care. “I know he will outlive me, so we have set up a will and trust for the rest of his life,” he said. “Both of my kids are interested, so whoever keeps him will get 10% more for his care.”
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
