Happy New Year Everyone!

Butterflies are Free!

I live in a tank.

Turtle House Wisconsin

Turtle House at the New Zoo, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Cozy Up Time

It's getting chilly in this part of the world and I'd like a few furrballs to cozy up with. Anybody interested?

Trampled By Turtles

Nice band nice sound nice name

Click here to visit Trampled By Turtles web site

Exploited

Capital One uses my likeness for their Comcast ad, without permission, I might add:

Bring it On!

I think there may be trouble ahead... but then again, there are four of us!

Meet Zippy

This is the fastest soft-shelled turtle I've ever seen! Check him out!



Go, baby, Go!

Best Poster Ever!

My Cousin: The Diamondback Terrapin

The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) was once almost pushed to extinction due to a fashion among some members of American society for turtle meat, a trend that thankfully died out before this terrapin did.

The diamondback terrapin has an oblong upper shell (carapace) that is grey, light brown or black and patterned with concentric diamond-shapes. The shell on the underside of the terrapin (the plastron) can range in colour from yellowish to green or black, and may be decorated with bold, dark markings.

The grey or black skin of the limbs and head bears dark flecks and spots, the head is short and flat, and the prominent eyes are black. The large, webbed feet are adapted for swimming, but also bear strong claws that allow the terrapin to clamber up out of the water. Female diamondback terrapins are larger than the males, and have a broader head and shorter tail. Juveniles are patterned much like adults but usually brighter and have rounder shells.

The diamondback terrapin is native to the United States, where it occurs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas. The diamondback terrapin inhabits the brackish waters of coastal marshes, tidal flats, coves, estuaries and coastal lagoons.

Tortoise, Turtle or Terrapin?

Look at my and my shelled reptile friends. Is it a tortoise, turtle, or terrapin? What you call me or any of my relatives depends on:
    what we look like, where we live and where you live.

Before we get on with this, let's be clear that scientists like veterinarians and such have their own words for us. They call us all chelonians.

But ordinary people use ordinary words. The trouble is that sometimes you don't all mean the same thing even when you use the same words.

What we look like
We all have shells. But some of our shells are covered with scutes while others are have a leathery covering. Some shells are domed, some are like saddles and some are almost flat.

We all have four legs. But some of us have thick stumpy legs with stumpy feet. Some have webs between our toes. Some have flippers that are hardly legs at all.

Of course we have other differences, too, or else our friends wouldn't be able to tell us apart. But these two differences (shells and feet) help to tell if someone is a tortoise, turtle or terrapin because what we look like helps you to know what our natural habitat is.

Where we live
We have three main habitats ...

• We can live on land
• We can live in the sea
• Or we can live sort of in between, spending time both on the land and in the water. Lots of us in this group live in brackish water. That's water that is sort of salty, the water you find at a river mouth where it joins the ocean.

Thanks to www.totallytortoise.com for the information above.

The terms 'turtle,' 'tortoise,' and 'terrapin' are often used interchangeably, and depending on which country you are in, may describe a completely different type of 'turtle.' But before you get too concerned about the common names, let us take a step back and identify them as belonging to one common order, the Chelonia. If it has a shell and is a reptile, then it is going to fall into the order Chelonia, which includes 244 different species
.

For most Americans, the term 'turtle' describes the Chelonians that are aquatic or semi-aquatic. The term 'tortoise' describes a Chelonian that lives primarily on land. 'Terrapin' can describe some freshwater or saltwater turtles, but is not often used.

There you have it. 

The Mothership Arrives

Barriers

Helping prevent turtle roadkill in New Jersey:

Brewski Anyone?

Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Georgia, is doing things the right way:

Hole in One

OUCH

Bill Slowsky Feels the Burn

Night Light

Turk or Turt?

Doesn't matter. I may look like a fool, but I am giving thanks big time this year. I did not wash away in the hurricane (although I was abandoned...), my tank is clean and Mama lets me run from time to time. All is good. Except for the headpiece.

Fast and Furious

For a Slowsky, that is.

Yummo!

Slowskys Sampler

Days of My Lives

Love to catch a late fall sunny day. Ah, my place with a view. I am a blessed terrapin and I am about to settle in for the winter.

Turtle House of the Future

I'm thinking this might be a great place to retire. You in?

Disappointed

The "Slow" Political Party

One more time on Election Day eve!

Rub a Dub

Every season, Mama takes the toothbrush to my shell and scrubs me up all nice and clean. Feels good.

Hurricane Sandy Slams My Town

Message from American Tortoise Rescue:

 

Turtles need help, too. If you find a turtle or tortoise after the horrible East Coast storm, first soak in tepid fresh water for 30 minutes (changing the water a few times) as it may have ingested salt water from the ocean. That can kill it. Dry it off, and put it in a box with air holes in a quiet place with a lid. It probably will not want to eat because of the stress, and that is OK. It also may try to bite so keep fingers away from the mouth parts. Keep away from dogs and children. Send us an email at info@tortoise.com with a photo attached, and we will try to ID it and help you. Do not throw it back in the water. Thanks from American Tortoise Rescue. For more information, visit: American Tortoise Rescue

Don't Do It!!!

Nice Fit

Talk about cozy, my tank is a perfect fit. Although I could probably grow a little if we expanded my space. Not complaining... just saying.

Light and Airy and Turtley

Cute for some adoring young turtle fan.

My Cousin: The Golden Greek Tortoise

“Golden Greek” Tortoise are recognized as Middle Eastern spur-thighed tortoises and do not originate in Greece. Their actual origin is usually Syria, Lebanon, Israel or Jordan or North African countries of Tunisia, Libya or Morocco.

 

The lighter color shell is indicative of areas that reach seasonally high temperatures where a dark shell would be an unwelcome heat sink. A very distinct peach tint to both the skin and shells in some specimens almost glows! Primarily still wild-caught, this species can harbor parasites and have other stress and environmental problems. Prone to dietary and respiratory illnesses, this is not a good beginner pet. Both male and females can grow up to 8 inches long.

Greek Tortoises are found in a variety of environments from seashore dunes to rocky mountain steps but usually in very hot, dry and arid regions with high summer temperatures. They inhabit areas of sparse vegetation where they browse on grass and plant growth.

Generally very shy, the Golden Greek Tortoises usually become more outgoing as they get used to their keeper's activities, but they will continue to look for places to hide or bury themselves. They should be housed in a dry, warm environment with low ambient humidity.

This tortoise is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Please, No Raspberry Stains

The Turtles Sing "Happy Together"

Anderson Loves Us

I'm relieved to know that some Hollywood-types get it.

Ain't No Stopping Me... Now

I'm on the loose.

Now What?

Keep Out!

Not sure why, this fella looks friendly enough and even looks like he could use a friend...

WTF? Transport for the Largest?

Don't know why... or how...

This can't be real, although it's very close!

It's Wetsuit Season

Top Nat Geo Model



 

To read more about the National Geographic Galapagos Photography expedition, click here.



Coming Through!

Bday Party Animal

I'm not much of a party animal (and neither is Mama...) but we both wish our friend Brooks a happy birthday today!

Deep Blue Sea

Underneath it all is a different world.

Local Turtle Art

Big FAIL. Sorry kids.

(painted by school children)

Mo' Ninjas, Baby Style

I'm happy to report that these cute little buggers were a result of photoshop - and not real paint!

Happy Place

Need I say more? I'm chillin', the weather's chillin', Mama's chillin' and life is pretty darn good.

Turtle Breath

Bouncing Off Walls

This is how all kids should party:

Happy Birthday to Mama's nieces this week!

Candle of Love

Mama still enjoying her turtle candle gift from her niece. I must say the likeness is uncanny!

Security is in Place!

Escape prevention measures á la mama!

Turtle Tamer on Silk



Who wouldn't want to wrap their long wrinkly neck in silk turtle art?
See the original Turtle Tamer art here.

I'm Cranky and I Know it!

Anatomy of a Turtle

This is gross, but important to learn how we terps work!

Henri's Trip to the Vet

Turtles Open Doors

Weymouth Sea Life Park entrance, UK

Clean Tank = Clean Critter

Love a freshly cleaned tank, who doesn't?

May the Force be With Us

(...or the 'schwartz' depending who you are...)

Mani - Pedi?

Looks like time for a pedicure!