Bruce Explains Box Turtles: Beards

Bruce is such a character! He is truly one-of-a-kind – both the only and the BEST (mama’s bias here) box turtle I have ever known.

One day not long after Bruce emerged from hibernation this spring, I noticed what looked like black fungus growing around the edges of his beak (turtles and tortoises have beaks just like parrots – so cool…..).

Of course I did what any conscientious shell mama would do. I panicked and texted our vet. I sent copious numbers of close-up photos. She studied the photos and texted back, “I think that is dirt.”

Long story short – it was dirt.

So today when I walked outside and was met with a box turtle who appeared to be sporting a…..beard…..suffice it to say I didn’t fall for that one again!

Instead I cooed at him, “Oh look at youuuuuu – so CUTE – my Brucie has a dirt beard!”

But I did take copious numbers of close-up photos….just in case.

My beautiful boy sporting one of his new signature dirt-centric looks: the box turtle beard.

And remember…..

Published by Shannon Cutts

Animal sensitive and intuitive with Animal Love Languages. Parrot, tortoise and box turtle mama. Dachshund auntie. Freelance writer and author. www.animallovelanguages.com

Our flock <3s comments! :-)