Q: Tonca, an American alligator snapping turtle, was the unofficial mascot of the Museum of Science & History in Jacksonville. He made a memorable impression on many who saw him through the years.
Tonca was rescued from a pond in Mandarin in 1995 and began living in MOSH’s Hixon Native Plant Courtyard, growing from 50 to 200 pounds. He was often celebrated in the summers with a weigh-in and checkup.
Longevity is on Tonca’s side. He celebrated his 59th birthday last July at MOSH. But now MOSH is closed, waiting to move to a new building across the river, and its Southbank building is planned for demolition…