---
title: Road-Ready Reptile
date: 2024-01-12T17:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/road-ready-reptile"
section: Articles
---
# Road-Ready Reptile

*January 12, 2024* — by [Terp Staff](/authors/terp-staff)


- *Photos courtesy of Diamondback Photo Collection, University Archives*

*"Testudo II" wheels near stands at football game*

Before there was “Fear the Turtle,” something scarier crawled across the UMD campus: Testudo II. The mean, green mascot machine funded by the Student Government Association had Penn State’s Nittany Lion mascot cowering in fear at a 1965 football game. It was mobile, monstrous and impossible to miss, yet it went missing eight years later. What was its fate? And who’s the guy in the cool coat in this uncredited pic from University Archives? If you know, or have your own story about Testudo II, email us at <terpfeedback@umd.edu>. Come back in the next issue to find the responses and another unique photographic take on UMD history.


---


*two women perform equestrian gymnastics*




**Issue:** [Winter 2024](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/winter-2024)


**Types:** [Post-Grad](https://terp.umd.edu/category/post-grad)