Day 264: Box Turtle Sees Stars

Contrary to popular belief, being born with a shell on your back does not automatically make you a homebody. Some beings with shells love to wander and roam and explore and see new interesting places. And then there is you, the three-toed Texas box turtle. You were born right here in Texas and Texas isContinueContinue reading “Day 264: Box Turtle Sees Stars”

Day 252: Box Turtle Gets Rescued

Wearing a shell on your back is a great defensive strategy. But sometimes the state of the world today is such that you need more than just your shell to be truly safe. When this happens, it can be smart to look for a large shell-less rescue mama. Of course, to do this you areContinueContinue reading “Day 252: Box Turtle Gets Rescued”

Day 249: That Box Turtle Skin

Life can get pretty interesting when your flock consists of many different species. For instance, some of you are big. Some of you are small. Some of you have feathers. Others of you have shells. Still others of you have neither (poor things). Some of you have warm blood. Others of you have cold blood.ContinueContinue reading “Day 249: That Box Turtle Skin”

Day 246: Box Turtle Smells a Salmon

Living in a flock with another shelled being can be…..interesting. Sure, you both have an attractive curved shell on your backs. Yes, you both have four legs, a tail and an adorable, brightly colored head. But that is where the similarities (should) end. From preferences about portion sizes to preparation, frequency to favorite dishes, everythingContinueContinue reading “Day 246: Box Turtle Smells a Salmon”

Day 243: Box Turtle Gets a Microscopic Visitor

The large shell-less being here…. Being a box turtle rescue mama is an awesome privilege. It is also a daunting responsibility. I was eight when I rescued my first turtle. He was a baby red-eared slider I named (wait for it) “Red.” He wandered up from the bayou right behind our casa and into theContinueContinue reading “Day 243: Box Turtle Gets a Microscopic Visitor”

Day 237: Box Turtle Finds Fountain of Youth

It is no secret that being outfitted from birth with a cozy shell is convenient. As a box turtle who can easily live for 50 years or longer, having a shell can also help you stay looking younger for longer! By keeping your shell-less parts carefully shielded from the sun, rain and elements, your skinContinueContinue reading “Day 237: Box Turtle Finds Fountain of Youth”

Day 228: Box Turtle Beauty Tips

For the large shell-less beings, the older you get, the older you tend to feel….and look. Not so if you are lucky enough to arrive wearing a shell. For starters, shells are not prone to wrinkling, sagging or drooping. They stay lovely and youthful looking….even when the rest of you perhaps does not. Also, withContinueContinue reading “Day 228: Box Turtle Beauty Tips”

Day 225: Box Turtle Peek-a-boo

The key to successfully training a large shell-less assistant is “measured cuteness.” In other words, you don’t want to hit her with all the cuteness you’ve got all at once. That could be overwhelming, causing her to faint dead away and shirk her contractually stipulated flock care duties. A much wiser strategy is to doleContinueContinue reading “Day 225: Box Turtle Peek-a-boo”

Day 222: Box Turtle Plays I Spy

If you are small and very stealthy and silent and have a large shell-less assistant who is anything but, there is a fun game called “I Spy” you can play to really freak her out. Here is what to do. Let’s say your assistant comes looking for you to do her daily “box turtle safetyContinueContinue reading “Day 222: Box Turtle Plays I Spy”

Day 219: Box Turtle Gets Back to Basics

In the world today, there is a massive movement focused on “getting back to basics.” And when it’s all said and done, there is nothing more basic than a good old-fashioned log. Logs are so functional and multi-purpose. They are also quite manly and masculine (a side perk if you happen to be a soloContinueContinue reading “Day 219: Box Turtle Gets Back to Basics”