Growing Like a Weed - Page 5

infernalis · 02-20-13, 10:18 PM

here too Steve....

Lankyrob · 02-21-13, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

This morning I sent an email to the legal dept. of the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources asking them for legal clarification on whether I could keep Tank (Chelydra seprentina- Common Snapping Turtle) I received a call back from that office a few moments ago. The gentleman informed me they were working on the issue and waiting for a response from Law Enforcement. He said that his office has been unable to find any codes/laws that say I can't keep the turtle and he feels this issue should be resolved shortly, he thinks in my favor.
Fingers and toes crossed here.

Hope they make the right decision

guidofatherof5 · 02-21-13, 04:37 PM

Just received an email from the State. According to them I can keep Tank.

Mr. Gilfillan,

I am writing to confirm our prior conversations. Iowa law allows you to possess a live snapping turtle so long as you have a valid Iowa fishing license. Nothing in the Department of Natural Resources regulations would act to prohibit your continued keeping of the turtle as a pet, so long as you maintain a valid license.

Hopefully this email will allow Council Bluffs to reissue the prior waiver for “Tank”. Please contact me if you have any questions.

A copy of this email was sent to the City Health Dept. director. I contacted him and he said he would get for work on my exception to Tank.

I'll believe it when it's in my hands.

dinosaurdammit · 02-21-13, 04:38 PM

All the good feels

jarich · 02-22-13, 10:00 AM

Interesting that it is dependent on a fishing license. I wonder why that is?

guidofatherof5 · 02-22-13, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Interesting that it is dependent on a fishing license. I wonder why that is?

Snapping turtles, Painted turtles and Soft shell turtles, frogs and mussels are controlled by the fishing license in the State of Iowa.

guidofatherof5 · 02-25-13, 04:55 PM

No new news on Tank. Just waiting for the waiver to come in the mail.

guidofatherof5 · 03-05-13, 05:54 PM

It's a miracle, Tank is LEGAL. 5 months of red tape and runarounds. Now if I can only claim him on my Federal taxes.
Should be able to get him a social security card without too much trouble.

guidofatherof5 · 03-18-13, 02:11 PM

Tank tub time. Try saying that 5 times fast.

Chu'Wuti · 03-18-13, 03:19 PM

Wow, I just found this thread for the first time--it is really impressive what you have done with Tank in terms of building a calm, respectful relationship between the two of you! I'm wondering what kind of enclosure you have for him? In reading through the thread, it sounds like he can go in and out of it as he wishes.

That is one pampered snapping turtle. You're a pet owner any animal would appreciate!

guidofatherof5 · 03-18-13, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chu'Wuti

Wow, I just found this thread for the first time--it is really impressive what you have done with Tank in terms of building a calm, respectful relationship between the two of you! I'm wondering what kind of enclosure you have for him? In reading through the thread, it sounds like he can go in and out of it as he wishes.

That is one pampered snapping turtle. You're a pet owner any animal would appreciate!

Thanks. He is one special turtle and buddy.
He lives in a 45 gal. oval enclosure.
Here's a photo of Tank coming out. The enclosure is in our living room.

guidofatherof5 · 03-20-13, 05:58 AM

Tank is a goof. Not sure why he found this so comfortable.

guidofatherof5 · 03-31-13, 09:44 AM

Here's a Tank (Chelydra serpentina- common snapping turtle) story.
Tank slept most of the day yesterday. This morning he was on schedule for a BM. I changed his enclosure water so it was fresh and warm(the king deserves only the best) I woke him up and eventually had to put him in his water as he just wanted to stretch and yawn. A few moments after placing him in his water I looked over at him. He was stretched out in a typical relaxed position. This being neck out and turned to the side, back legs stretched with the pads of his feet turned up and out of the water. I also saw he had done his duty and soiled the water so I grabbed my 5 gallon bucket and scoop.
As I scooped the dirty water around him he never moved from his relaxed position. I noticed some poop along side him by the wall of the enclosure so I pushed the almost 22 pound snapping turtle away from the wall. He never flinched or moved out of his relaxed position. I went and dumped the water. When I returned with fresh warm water he was waiting in the same position.
This is one relaxed, calm, confident turtle. As I was typing this he came out of his enclosure and headed under the bookcase to continue sleeping.
I have never had a turtle like Tank. He shows no startle response to anything the occurs around him and is so comfortable living with us human.
I hope to have many more years watching, learning and enjoying life with the remarkable turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 03-31-13, 05:03 PM

The Tank saga continues:

Apparently Tank also knows his schedule. Today was a food day. A few moments ago I saw Tank's head out from under his blanket. After a few moments of discussion he decided to come out and go to his water. I went to the kitchen and prepared him meal. After he was done eating I saw him looking at his bed under the bookcase. I quickly made the bed up as it was a mess and he came out of his water. He walked half way and stopped. Now, he looked at his bed and then into the kitchen. I told him there was nothing for him in the kitchen and that he should go to bed. I explained to him that the bed was comfortable and warm, much better then the cold kitchen floor. He took another look at both and made his choice. I tucked him into bed a few moments later and he is fast asleep.
Such a funny turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 04-22-13, 08:35 PM

My buddy and I got some fresh air the other day before the storms rolled in and ruined the day.