Please Don't

You can stand BY me, just not ON me, thank you!



Trick or Treat!

My Cousin: The Indian Star Tortoise

Indian Star tortoises are one of the world’s most attractive tortoise species, found in semi-arid, thorny and grassland habitats and native to India, Sri Lanka and southeastern Pakistan. These highly-decorated graphic terrapins are known for having quite a personality. Females grow larger than males and she typically grows to 7 or 8 inches, while males typically only reach 5 or 6 inches in length. Under the right conditions, captive star tortoises can live from 30 to 80 years. Native to grassland habitats, it grazes extensively upon mixed grasses and is a diehard herbivore. They are not a territorial species. Multiple males and females may be kept together without fighting and aggressive biting.

The Star Tortoise is a common sight in pet stores and markets throughout Asia, but many die an early death because owners fail to provide an adequate diet and living conditions. Star tortoises will graze happily on lawn grass which seems to prevent most health problems at the source. An adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D3 are essential as is exposure to sunlight and water.

Last Run

This may have been my last run for the season. Mama let me loose after work tonight but I noticed it was quickly getting dark, then drizzly, then windy, then cold. Real cold. Yo mama, I want BACK IN! Then I noticed why – Mama was cleaning out my scuzzy tank and I always appreciate that.

Peek a Boo

My Cousin: The Soft Shell

Here's a soft shell variety of terrapin. Just look at this guy. He seems so flat and floppy. These turtles look like big leathery pancakes. The adults are brownish-green or tan with blotches on their skin. Their shells are covered with skin, and are soft around the edges. Their noses are long and round. When they swim, they stay underwater and stick their nose up to breathe, like a snorkel. Their feet are webbed and their necks are quite long.



Softshell turtles can be very aggressive, and they sometimes bite each other and turtles of other species spontaneously or when feeding. Turtles with soft shells tend to be more aggressive than their more protected relatives. Florida softshell turtles are found on the coastal plains south of Mobile Bay, Alabama, and Charleston, South Carolina, including all of Florida except the Keys. Their preferred habitat is slow-moving bodies of fresh water with mud or sand bottoms. They spend much of their time buried in the soft bottom with only their head exposed. Softshell turtles are primarily carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, waterfowl and amphibians.

Flapjacks, anyone?

Slow Down Season

I'm always happy to have a fresh, clean tank. Who wouldn't be? Now that the weather is getting cooler, I'll be slowing down a little after an exhausting season of running free in the great outdoors – and around the house. Now if she would give the 'ol shell a decent scrub, I'll be sitting pretty for the winter!



The Crusher

Sometimes the little ones don't make it. You've gotta know when to run. And when to steer clear of The Crusher.



Hippie Wicker Turtle

I appreciate all forms of turtledom, even in a hippie parade like this. Gotta love those Europeans!

Yogurtle

I would like to consult with the Zen Master turtle of the sea. He seems to have have all the answers while in this pose.

Pressed

Mama calls it 'pressed ham' but I'll call it 'pressed neck' for now - still not sure what it all means, but it's a comfy place in the tank where I spend a lot of time... and that I love because I can keep an eye on her from here...

Oh Wheely?

This 12-year-old African spur-thighed tortoise, named Gamera, had a severely damaged leg amputated up to the shoulder and replaced with a swivel wheel — the type of wheels commonly found on the bottom of office chairs! Don’t worry, the wheel was attached to its shell with an epoxy adhesive, and he has gained three pounds since before the procedure took place. This boy is a walking/rolling miracle!


☺ Thanks, Jim!
























Gamera seems to be doing fine. You can check out a video of him rolling around and eating some grass below.