Other pets (pics and discussions)

[Mommy2many]

Awesome turtle!

[guidofatherof5]

Here's something very cool. I was in the kitchen preparing some chicken for the grill. I found a piece of meat about the size of a silver dollar. I thought it would be a nice treat for Tank so I walked toward his room but stopped outside the door. I could see his position in the water and knew where his head was even though I couldn't see it. I tossed the meat just over the lip of his enclosure. I watched as the meat cleared the lip and passed over where I thought his head would be. In the blink of an eye his head flew up and caught the treat before it ever hit the water.
It had to be only visible to him for a micro second but he was able to react and catch it.
Lightning fast reflexes. It was amazing to see.

[mikem]

Congrats to you and Tank for making the paper! Was a fun read

[guidofatherof5]

Lately, when I've posted about Tank I've put something like this "32+ pounds" To be honest it has been a guess on my part. I knew he was probably over 32 pounds but wasn't sure where he really was. I have noticed that he's seems to be very heavy lately but chalked it up to being 55 years old.
Today, Tank's weight was checked and I'm happy to report I can now put 35+ pounds for awhile. The big man has put on some good weight over the last 6 month. With no signs of slowing down he'll be at 40+ pounds by Christmas.
His weight might be changing but his docile attitude hasn't. He is still very interactive and loves spending time with me. If I'm not around when he comes out of his water he looks for me. Tank breaks all the stereotypes people might have about snapping turtles.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice Tank story

Yesterday, I walked into his room with my grass cutting hat on. Tank took a great interest in it. I sat down on the floor and leaned my head toward his water. I did this so he could smell and touch the hat. I could see he was close and his neck was stretched out. After a minute or so I began to wonder what he was doing. Just then he looked under the brim of the hat, as if to say "there you are". He moved his head under the brim and close to my face. I started laughing at this 35 pound snapping turtle that wants to be near me. He stayed under the hat for a few minutes watching me, listening to me tell him how awesome he is. All that time his eyes and body language told me he was relaxed and trusted me.
Tank has changed the way I see snapping turtles. I've always admired them but never knew they could be so docile and interactive.
This of course is Tank we're talking about. I would never get this close to any other snapping turtle.

[guidofatherof5]

Tank did a wonderful job at VBS last night. Instead of having 45 minutes I was given 15 minutes. That meant no PowerPoint. I had just enough time to say hello and give them a few facts about snapping turtles. I told the kids I brought my little turtle with me, then I pulled Tank out.
Everyone was excited and the adults couldn't believe how close I was to him. Afterward, they wanted photos of the big man. The adults kept saying "and he doesn't bite you?"
Once again Tank made some friends and showed that there is more to snapping turtles then their name.

[slipknot711]

Tank did a wonderful job at VBS last night. Instead of having 45 minutes I was given 15 minutes. That meant no PowerPoint. I had just enough time to say hello and give them a few facts about snapping turtles. I told the kids I brought my little turtle with me, then I pulled Tank out.
Everyone was excited and the adults couldn't believe how close I was to him. Afterward, they wanted photos of the big man. The adults kept saying "and he doesn't bite you?"
Once again Tank made some friends and showed that there is more to snapping turtles then their name.

im loving this! Steve I have told you about my good girl snapper, its wonderful that people can see what great animals they can be. id say pets but most ppl dont realize the size they get to.

[guidofatherof5]

im loving this! Steve I have told you about my good girl snapper, its wonderful that people can see what great animals they can be. id say pets but most ppl dont realize the size they get to.

Speaking of snapping turtles, how about some photos of your girl turtle.
It's not for me, it's for Tank.

[slipknot711]

Speaking of snapping turtles, how about some photos of your girl turtle.
It's not for me, it's for Tank.

HAHA! WILL DO! thats too funny, she might be a little too young for him . I will def get some new pics for you, i mean tank haha

[guidofatherof5]

My son came home from church camp yesterday carrying a box. It could only mean one thing, "baby birds". There was a wind storm at camp and these babies lost their nest. This didn't come without injury to the birds as one has a ruptured air sack and the other appears to be blind in one eye. The little one with the ruptured air sack was treated first as it looked like a balloon with feathers. It was so bad this little one was on her back and couldn't stand. This is a serious injury and I've had very little success treating it. 24 hours after treating her she's still deflated for the most part. I'm hoping the air sack will repair itself and she will survive. She's eating and acting normal so things are looking good. The other bird appears to be blind in its left eye. At this point we're not sure if this was caused by the fall or something else.
Both the birds are eating machines and behaving(demanding attention) normally.
My son will be 18 in a few months and entering the Air Force after graduating high school. I love the fact that he still has a heart for these little ones. I remember when he rescued his first bird, a mud swallow. He was young but took on the responsibility. That bird was eventually released(with many tears). I'm a proud father.
We are hoping both birds will survive and can be released at some point.