Just because you are small and round and low to the ground doesn’t mean you aren’t very observant. As a newcomer to flock life, it doesn’t take long to realize you are the shyest member of your new family. For example, there is your small and (extremely) loud feathery brother who demands neck feather scratchesContinue reading “Day 285: Shell Scratches for Box Turtles”
Tag Archives: turtle rescue
Day 282: Box Turtle Loves the Camera
It doesn’t take much time living in an interspecies flock to realize how important the small rectangular flashing thing is to flock life. Every flock member wants to get as close to it as possible. They compete to stand on it, shriek into it, sample it, stand in front of it, stare at it, singContinue reading “Day 282: Box Turtle Loves the Camera”
Day 279: Box Turtle Social Skills
Being born very cute can quickly become problematic when you are also very shy. Sure, there is your precious curved shell, your adorable orange cheek patches, your expressive red whirling eyes, your stunning white neck. It’s no surprise why other beings like you so much. Some of those beings can be quite patient, too, waitingContinue reading “Day 279: Box Turtle Social Skills”
Day 276: Box Turtle Hay Fest
As a cold-blooded shelled being, you can expect that as temperatures turn cooler, so will you. As this process continues, your mind may quite naturally turn towards thoughts of….hay. When it is still warm during the day, a fresh and comfy pile of hay can give you an excellent vantage point for scouting victuals andContinue reading “Day 276: Box Turtle Hay Fest”
Day 273: Box Turtle Breakfast
When you have a shell and you join an interspecies family, one thing you will learn really quickly is that not everyone likes the same thing for breakfast. Happily, this means there will always be more of your favorites just for you! Take mealworms, for example. Plump, wriggling, juicy and delicious – rich and satisfyingContinue reading “Day 273: Box Turtle Breakfast”
Day 270: Box Turtle Wants UP
Only a small percentage of beings get lucky enough to emerge from the small round escape pods wearing shells. The moment you notice you have one, this is how you know you are very cute. It is also how you can know you are very short. Sure, you will eventually “grow up”….at least by anContinue reading “Day 270: Box Turtle Wants UP”
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 isContinue 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 areContinue 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.Continue 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, everythingContinue 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 theContinue 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 skinContinue 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, withContinue 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 doleContinue 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 safetyContinue 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 soloContinue reading “Day 219: Box Turtle Gets Back to Basics”
Day 216: Box Turtle Meets “The Hand”
Shelled beings are quite cute and compact. If you popped out wearing a shell on your back, you definitely won the design lottery. If you can fit completely inside your box and hinge it shut, this means you are a “box turtle.” (It also means there are modern safes that aren’t as secure as youContinue reading “Day 216: Box Turtle Meets “The Hand””
Day 213: The Box Turtle Selfie
There is such a thing as “selfie culture” today. This basically involves snapping pics of yourself all day, every day, so as to feature all of your good sides (you don’t want to leave any out on account of how they’ll feel, well, left out). This is easier for beings who only have one orContinue reading “Day 213: The Box Turtle Selfie”