On major holidays, it is traditional to attempt to gather all the flock members together to take a group selfie. This can be problematic even when all flock members hail from the same species. When the flock consists of multiple species, the problems tend to multiply. You can’t put the family box turtle next toContinueContinue reading “Day 150: Interspecies Family Portraits”
Author Archives: Shannon Cutts
Day 149: A Tortoise and Her Mulch
If there is one thing that does not describe the red-footed tortoise, it is “gives up quickly.” Redfooted tortoises never give up. If at first you do not succeed, try again and again and again and again and again. If you do not succeed the first day (after trying all day long) then try againContinueContinue reading “Day 149: A Tortoise and Her Mulch”
Day 148: Cockatiel Goes Nest Shopping
When you care for an interspecies family, going shopping is always eventful. As the official rent and grocery money-earner (as well as the official shopper – everyone voted and you were, well, “it”), the whole flock gets excited when you return home with bags full of intriguing things. Some flock members are excited because ofContinueContinue reading “Day 148: Cockatiel Goes Nest Shopping”
Day 147: The Soul of a Box Turtle
It has been said the eyes are the windows to the soul. When you are born with particularly large and attractive, expressive red eyes, you can use this to your advantage. For example, it won’t take you long to notice how quickly your smitten large shell-less assistant hurries over when you gaze soulfully in herContinueContinue reading “Day 147: The Soul of a Box Turtle”
Day 146: Total Tortugan (Dis)Comfort
I won’t lie. Even after spending five consecutive years together, there is so much about the inner life of a tortoise I will never understand. Say, for example, that you are out foraging vigorously on the lawn for off-limits edibles. After awhile, you get tuckered out from all that foraging. You look around to spotContinueContinue reading “Day 146: Total Tortugan (Dis)Comfort”
Day 145: Birds for Brunch
One of the (many) best things about being born with soft feathers all over your body is that everyone wants to be your BFF. There is the cuteness, of course. And the featheriness. And the natural tunefulness. And the incredible flexibility and agility. There is your show-stopping personality and bonafide star appeal. Most of all,ContinueContinue reading “Day 145: Birds for Brunch”
Day 144: The Elusive Forest Box Turtle
As a wild box turtle, it is important to stay well camouflaged. Sure, you have your powerful double-hinged shell for protection if you need it. But it is still better if you don’t have to need it. Because you are small and quick and quite quiet, and your coloration lets you blend in seamlessly withContinueContinue reading “Day 144: The Elusive Forest Box Turtle”
Day 143: The Tortoise & the Dreaded F.E.N.C.E.
It is a fact – if you have a shell on your back, you pretty much hate fences. Whether the fence is there to keep you in or to keep you out, it is never a welcome sight. Even if the grass is so succulent and green on your side of the fence…. ….it isContinueContinue reading “Day 143: The Tortoise & the Dreaded F.E.N.C.E.”
Day 142: How Much Is That Birdie in the Window?
How much is that birdie in the window, you might be wondering? In a word: priceless. Or as one wonderful pet blogger I love stated (this about her own beloved tortoise): He’s yours for three easy payments of $10 million each.
Day 141: The Box Turtle & The Fence
The large shell-less being here…. Bruce came to us four years ago with a mysterious past and a desperate need for a permanent home. Right away I got the sense he wanted to stay with our little flock, which daunted and delighted me in fairly equal measure. I also quickly began to suspect Bruce couldContinueContinue reading “Day 141: The Box Turtle & The Fence”
Love & Feathers & Shells 