I risked neck and limb four years ago scooping Elvis up off the highway! FInally, a few people stopped and blocked the roadway, I got thumbs up as they drove off. And Elvis came home, I see him only once or twice a year, but it's always a good day seeing Elvis, he gets around too! He lived in the tomatoes last year, with the cats but I only caught a glimpse or two! Elvis crossing the driveway -to get to the other side, of course! ( photo / image / picture from CrisGzr's Garden )
OH, how adorable. Good for you rescuing him from the highway. We had one wandering in and out of the backyard years ago but I think our neighbors had turtle soup one night about 5 years ago cause I haven't seen it in about that long.
Cool! My cousin that lived in L.A. had a turtle (or tortoise) for at least 20 years. His name was Moses. It cracked me up to watch him crawl over the sleeping and vicious Dobermans.
Thank you for saving Elvis! He's a good guest--doesn't overstay his welcome and brings his own sleeping arrangements with him. We have quite a few turtles in the pond. We were told to get rid of them because they eat the fish. All right--I'd rather see a turtle on a log than look at a big old ugly catfish! One of our pond turtles ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden ) We have two logs anchored for turtle sunning areas. If a duck comes along and perches there, that's all right, too!
Hi Toni, ever since I saw someone swerve to intentionally hit a turtle I save every one I find, sometimes it's just to the other side of the road. I saved a snapping turtle once and if anyone had caught it on youTube, we'd be rich! They do not like being rescued from the road. I wisely thought twice about putting him in the car with me! Cheryl, that cracks me up just thinking about it. I don't think a SiberianH would be so tolerant. They were barking like crazy! R said KitKit just watched and occasionally walked past him as he walked across the driveway. Eileen, yes! Elvis has left the building but he's in my gardens! I'm with you Marlin, what did those poor catfish do without us? People need to realize that balance is vital to keeping healthy populations. Everyone on the food chain needs a balanced population. well, except yellow jackets. We have beavers in the pond behind our property. I was so frustrated to learn the property was for sale, after my neighbor bought it!. She told me that they couldn't legally kill the beavers... I let her know that I was watching them... They have already cleared several acres for their cattle and want the pond "pretty' -last I heard beavers and cattle had not beef (lol, sorry) When I lived in Wilmington NC, I got to see the sea turtle nests and while I never saw the hatchlings I did see the long trails in the sand to the water.
I'm so glad Elvis is alive and well and living with you. Some people's attitudes never cease to shock me, even after all these years. *sigh*
Oh! A box turtle! I grew up with them in NJ. They would wander into our yard or neighborhood. We had one called Clancy who came and went for years. Once I hadn't seen him for eons, and I was walking up our (very long) driveway to get the mail, and there was Clancy doing his turtle walk down the driveway! I kid you not, he followed the driveway all the way down to our house. I so wish I had a box turtle here in MA. I have wondered if MA is too far north for them as I have never seen one up here.
Box Turtle range: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_turtle Cayuga, we had box turtles in NH! so you must have them. Just rescue one from the road and put them in your yard. Tell friends that you are a box turtle refuge LOL Seriously, it's always good to honor living on Turtle Island by befriending turtles!
Carolyn, I am momentarily torn... but, no, on second thought, I think my tiny little corner can do okay without something I am allergic to! or is so aggressive! I sprayed Mosquito Barrier today to repel mosquitos and ticks -I told them all to go to my neighbor's house (the one who bothers me) or go find a nice swamp. I sprayed around a hornet and it just got out of my way, no attack... Spiders freak me out but I don't kill them. I escort them out of the house. When I transplanted the lilacs, two huge wolf spiders ran out of my way and sat on the brick wall watching me. Then they came down to inspect my work. But no one bit me! I have never seen such an aggressive insect! Even the tarantulas in the dessert were okay, we'd just check the bottoms of our jeans and wipe them off... okay, I need to stop now... see what you started?
Het Cris-- That in an interesting turtle...or is it a terrapene? I had heard that you can tell its age by counting the scale plates that are on top of each other, on it's shell. I wonder how old Elvis is.
Sjoerd, you make me google so often! LOL A terrapene is a box turtle according to Wikipedia. I also learned it is my State's official reptile.
