Torts Emerge!!!

[Nanci]

I checked the pen today, and found Koko sleeping in his scrape under a half log!! He lost 3 grams in brumation. He had a nice soak in the house after his weigh-in.

 

[Nanci]

I checked the burrow, and Buttercup was awake too! She lost 20 grams, but that is only 4% of her weight. Acceptable. She had a soak, too.

 

[Nanci]

Koko celebrated with a bite of cow skull.

 

[danielle]

I saw a bunch of these guys at havre de grace yesterday they are so cute!!

 

[Nanci]

As you can see, it's pretty slim pickins out there still, but that's ok. It protects them from eating a big belly of greens followed by a freeze the next night. They are up about a week earlier than last spring.

Thanks for looking!!

 

[Nanci]

Probably not these exact guys, Danielle. These are California Desert Tortoises, and you need a special permit to keep them. I am extra lucky- I have them outside of their home territory, because they were in a research project, and when the project was over, they were placed in homes rather than being euthed. You can't buy or sell or even hatch them- you may adopt them through a lengthy process if you live in California, Arizona or Nevada.

 

[Nanci]

So their whole life here in humid Florida is an experiment! But we do have native gopher tortoises, who are the same genus. I've had these kids for 3.5 years, living outside unsupplemented with grocery store food for 3 years, and they are thriving! This is their second year brumating outside.

 

[danielle]

Nice to know Nanci thanks!! We saw a bunch of torts so cute too and of course my daughter begged, but no way. I don't live in the climate for them to be outdoor pets and they can be smelly inside from what I hear, but a very cool animal to own!

 

[Nanci]

You _might_ be able to get a little Greek or Russian tortoise. Greek would probably be the best choice. But it still takes work to set on up inside. Box turtle- forget it!!!

 

[Carinata]

I love torts. I have worked with a few before but I don't have the means to keep em outside

 

[danielle]

We have had box turtles we found as short term guests, but the smell killed me. My daughter would have one of every kind of animal if I let her, but she has to be happy with the mini zoo we already have. I foresee a few more corns and a lot more chahouas for me, but unless we ever move closer to the parents in south florida no turtle for her, though they are seriously cute!! She has now seen this thread and I just told her she must live vicariously through you, lol!!!

 

[Nanci]

You need to read the thread Box Turtle Enclosure with her...

 

[danielle]

O.k Nanci she is 7 a little stubborn, mouthy, and oh so messy, but she has voiced her want to live with you, lol!!! You offcially make me suck more than even she thought I did. Boy you make that enclosure look easy and it is amazing, but we have hardly any backyard (townhouse). Though now I have great ideas for when I buy my first house. You are so crafty by the way and your mother was right...if you can read YOU can do anything, but my dumba$$ will just drool!!!

 

[Toshiro]

Such nice shiney shells

 

[diamondlil]

Lovely to see them waking up! I love the cow skull for calcium, looks much better than a piece of cuttlefish would!

 

[Iguanagirl8662]

Your torts are so cute. I love your pens, I have a pen for my box turtles it's great it gives me another reason to get more plants, lol. I really want a tortoise but my boyfriend keeps telling me 10 turtles is enough(but when to I ever listen to that, lol).

 

[sarcare]

The torts are back, yay!! They look good, all shiny and clean!

 

[Nanci]

I actually think all those pics must be Koko. It's so hard to tell them apart in pictures now. Together, there is a big size difference, like 250 grams. I'll look for pics of Butters when I get home...