An unexpected friendship between a black‑and‑white cat and a tortoise is melting hearts across TikTok, after a viral video showcased their surprisingly affectionate bond.
The clip, which has now reached 1.3 million views, was shared by owner Megan Dube (@appleuser26984415) shows the tuxedo cat lying on her back while the tortoise gently reaches toward her, as if trying to get her attention.
In another clip, Dube explains: “These two have been inseparable from the moment they met.”
Their bond, it seems, extends far beyond a cute moment caught on camera.
As commenters questioned whether the tortoise might be uncomfortable, Dube jumped in to reassure them.
“The tortoise is just fine. They really do just love one another,” she wrote.
Another user called the pair “besties,” to which Dube replied: “They really are!” She added that she wished she had kept the original audio because the cat was purring so loudly.
Other TikTokers even shared photos of their own cat‑and‑tortoise duos, proving this unlikely pairing may be more common than many think.
Some viewers think the cat’s affection might have a second motivation: the tortoise’s heat lamp.
“The cat was just cold. That heat lamp was calling like a Siren ,” one user joked.
Another added a similar experience: “This is literally my cat with my box turtle! He would lay in there all day if I let him, he loves to share the basking spot.”
According to pet experts at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, cats seek out warm, cozy spaces—but that doesn’t mean owners need to crank the thermostat to sauna levels just to keep them happy. While they can’t ask you to turn up the heat (though they absolutely would), you can still keep your home at a comfortable temperature for both you and your feline while giving them warmer spots to retreat to.
A study in The Scientific World Journal explains that a cat’s “thermoregulatory environment”—the temperature they need around them to maintain an ideal body temperature—is usually cooler than they’d prefer. That’s why providing dedicated warm zones, like soft bedding, sunny windowsills and even cardboard boxes, helps them feel safe and snug.
Which might explain why Dube’s cat happily stretched out beside the tortoise’s heat lamp—sometimes the warmest spot in the house becomes the most irresistible, no matter who lives there.
While the bond is adorable, experts advise caution when mixing species.
Newsweek previously spoke to Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of Pets4Homes, the U.K.’s largest pet rehoming site.
He said that owners should always supervise interactions between cats and tortoises.
“Even if the cat isn’t trying to eat it, it may try to swat at it, stressing the tortoise out and potentially harming it,” he said.
“Overall, if you maintain supervision and manage the tortoise’s enclosure and environment well, it’s certainly possible for tortoises and cats to coexist peacefully.”
Dube echoed this in her own comment: “I make sure to keep a close eye,” on her cat, she noted
Newsweek reached out to @appleuser26984415 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.