Author Topic: Little worried about Shop Turtle (Read 3012 times)

Bob Reeves · « **on:** October 25, 2008, 07:36:00 AM »

This is probably weird but for the last 3 years I have had a box turtle show up in my shop in the spring and make his home in the shop for the summer. He does a pretty good job of keeping the bugs under control I leave him alone and he doesn't bother me. About this time of year he usually disappears not to be seen till the spring. Am pretty sure he goes outside to hibernate as I leave the doors open quite a bit when it quits being in the 90's.

Anyway for the last couple of weeks he has been hiding in a corner not moving. Normally he is running all over the shop chasing down bugs. Now most of the bugs are gone but his inactivity and not knowing anything about turtles has me a little concerned about his wellbeing.. Wonder if he has just decided to hibernate in the shop this year. Anyone have any turtle experience?

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2008, 07:51:03 AM »

Everything is on the web.

http://www.boxturtlesite.info/diet.html

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2008, 09:21:58 AM »

Thanks for the link, his eyes are open and he hides back in his shell when I get near so think he is OK. I put down some oatmeal and a piece of banana.. He likes oatmeal.. If he eats either I'll quit worrying and guess just let him figure out where he wants to spend the winter..

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2008, 11:20:54 AM »

Bob,
Cool story.
I think you should name him. How about about Saito?

Maybe post a photo of your shop buddy?

Just One-eye · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2008, 12:17:20 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on October 25, 2008, 09:21:58 AM

Thanks for the link, his eyes are open and he hides back in his shell when I get near so think he is OK. I put down some oatmeal and a piece of banana.. He likes oatmeal.. If he eats either I'll quit worrying and guess just let him figure out where he wants to spend the winter..

On Highway 90 near Las Cruces in 1947, a desert tortoise was crossing the road, and nearly certain to be squashed before he got across. My younger sister made such an outcry that my parents turned around, and stopped, blocking the lane so she could rescue him / her (we never knew). It lived for about five years in our grandparents' back yard, where it enjoyed a half piece of fresh lettuce a couple of times a week, and seemed satisfied with that little, plus some St. Augustine grass occasionally. We still think someone came into the yard and stole him from there.

According to the encyclopedia, that kind doesn't drink water, getting all its liquid needs from the water in the vegetation it eats.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2008, 01:53:34 PM »

Post a picture!!!

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2008, 04:02:18 PM »

Went out to the shop with camera in hand.. Picked up Shop Turtle and carried him outside for better light.. Waited till he showed his head then snapped the following.. He ate one hack berry that happened to be in his path and headed back into the shop.. Guess he has made his decision and he is OK..

Oh.. He has a name "Shop Turtle"

Larry Renger · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2008, 05:01:15 PM »

He needs AMA numbers! (actually, not. painting a turtle like that is VERY bad for them)

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2008, 05:28:52 PM »

That critter is so cool!! I want me a shop turtle!! If it lays eggs and you have a shop full of turtlettes, I want the pick of the litter.

A shop monkey would be cool also!

proparc · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2008, 05:36:16 PM »

Did shop turtle help you develop your venturi's-don't lie to us!!

Just One-eye · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2008, 08:18:25 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on October 25, 2008, 05:01:15 PM

He needs AMA numbers! (actually, not. painting a turtle like that is VERY bad for them)

If I recall correctly, the name of the pet shop turtles that were sometimes painted back in the 1950s / 60s was the "Slider", and they are an aquatic type, while the Box Turtle might be a "Terrapin", which is sorta like a tortoise with a flexibly jointed lower shell half. I'm relying on vague memories of encyclopedia forays, of which the most recent was probably about 35-40 years ago, when one or another of my kids had a pet turtle.

Rob Killick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2008, 08:29:16 PM »

Hi ,

Bob must have been using hi speed film for those shots ...

It's a speed demon !

Hope the turtle does okay ,

Rob Killick

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2008, 10:22:27 PM »

Bob, hope you haven't been spraying paint around it?...Reptiles don't fare well around chemicals.
Norm

james dean · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2008, 10:32:31 PM »

Hi Bob,

I showed my wife this and she was smitten immediatly with the idea of your shop turtle. Thats so cool

Maybe hes taken note of the cost of travel these days and decided to "staycation" this winter?? Or could it be hes just gotten older and dispensing with the idea of finding the usual place to hibernate. Who knows, maybe the quite corner in the shop 'aint so bad if you think of the alterenatives. If he goes to sleep for the long term, maybe a cardboard box turned upsidedown over him will give enough quite security and a little air.

When they hibernate they don't need much. Just a thought. Hope he finds a safe place to winter. For that matter, I hope we all find a safe and comfortable place for the winter!

Thanks for the postand the pics!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2008, 07:55:39 AM »

Hey Bob, showed the grand kids the pictures. I too think he has finally decided to stay for the winter. Just make sure you don't let him do too much of your plane building. Have fun, DOC Holliday

Will Hinton · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2008, 01:59:17 PM »

Bob,
I LOVE the story and pics! Now, why not name the next stunt ship after HIM?
Blessings,
Will

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2008, 04:58:29 PM »

Ya, think she has decided to hibernate in the shop.. Checked on her today and she is back in her hidie hole. When it rains the floor gets a little damp in that area and am thinking she is doing whats best for her.. Safe from any predators and the right environment. Oh ya someone told me the femail has a flat bottom and the males have a concave bottom so he is a she.

Thanks for all the laughs looks like we have another family member

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2008, 05:17:17 PM »

Hey Bob!
When you finally strip down the Score and recover it,maybe you could rename it "Shop Turtle"!

You can put a little turtle in the cockpit!

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2008, 09:45:56 PM »

If you put a turtle on the deck of your plane, what would you call that deck?

Bob Z.

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2008, 10:11:36 PM »

Ahhh, "Gigi" the Stunt Dog and "Shop Turtle".
You have cornered the market on "Stunt Mascots!"
Roger

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #20 on:** October 27, 2008, 10:20:13 AM »

Quote from: Roger Vizioli on October 26, 2008, 10:11:36 PM

Ahhh, "Gigi" the Stunt Dog and "Shop Turtle".
You have cornered the market on "Stunt Mascots!"
Roger

Lets don't forget Abby, "Attack Cat" she also adopted us but is sure earning her keep. In the last two days I found 3 mice and a field rat DOA in the yard. Getting colder and the critters are looking for a warm house or shop. looks like Abby is doing a good job of stopping them a little short of their intended destination.

Of course sometimes she gets in places she really shouldn't..

catdaddy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2008, 12:16:14 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on October 27, 2008, 10:20:13 AM

Lets don't forget Abby, "Attack Cat" she also adopted us but is sure earning her keep. In the last two days I found 3 mice and a field rat DOA in the yard. Getting colder and the critters are looking for a warm house or shop. looks like Abby is doing a good job of stopping them a little short of their intended destination.

Of course sometimes she gets in places she really shouldn't..

I never liked cats until after I moved away from home and got married to a cat person. It was only then that I saw the benefits of a good cat. I've had one ever since and the one I have now is going on 13 and can still whip a dogs butt any day. One of two cats I've had that chases dogs instead of running from them. He always leaves something to eat on the porch as well...bird, mice, squirrel