BEVERLY, Mass. (WHDH) -- A “slow” search is underway for a rare pet in Beverly. A family is looking for their 31-year-old turtle who got loose last week.

He’s not exactly cuddly, but he’s got a personality, and quite the pallet.

“He really likes shrimp, he thinks it’s good stuff. He loves Nick’s Roast Beef, we wash off the barbecue sauce, he doesn’t care for that,” said

But Zeke’s gone and the family is blaming it on the cat, who let the turtle through the screen door.

“That’s as far as he usually went, but he was probably out so long that he had time to get under the fence,” said Robert Young, Zeke’s owner.

Missing for more than a week, the Beverly family called in a company that helps cover reptiles.

“Normally, there are territorial areas about 750 feet so we know he’s probably within that region. I venture to say he’s probably in a neighbor’s yard,” said Joan Gallagher, Rainforest Reptile Shows.

Gallagher says box turtles like Zeke are native to the area.

“And the thing is, he’s about 31 years old and you think if he lives about 100 years, how old is he really? Well, he’s about a teenager. So he’s out and about, cruising around, and it’s a little late for the breeding season,” said Gallagher.