Re: Growing Like a Weed
A Funny Tank Story
Yesterday morning I took Tank - Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping turtle) out of his water and put him into his bed. He crawled right in and went to sleep. Later in the day I returned home from my volunteer job to find him looking out from under his blanket. I grabbed a pillow and joined him on the floor. He stretched his neck out to be as close to my face as possible while I told him about my day and asked him about his. This is a routine I have with Tank. We are face to face most of the time.
Along came my old dog Skipper. Tank is used to both dogs and doesn't seem to care much about them. They avoid him and he ignores them. Well, Skipper laid down on the floor a few feet away from Tank. Tank didn't seem to care until Skipper started rubbing and rolling around on the floor. I'm guessing this is the first time Tank ever saw this behavior as he stopped looking at me and zeroed in on the dog. He stretched his neck out toward the dog and cocked his head to one side as if he were thinking "what the heck is wrong with that dog" I started laughing at both Skipper and Tank. After Skipper was done he walked off. Tank watched him as he jumped up on the couch.
Tank is a creature for habit and is very observant to new thing. This dog throwing a fit was one of those new things.
This 26 pound snapping turtle is such a joy to be around. It's never a dull moment. He is by far the most unique reptile I've very had pleasure to work with. He is very smart, observant and docile. As I type this post he is under the living room book shelf sound asleep. He'll be there until morning. He gets up when I get up. The only difference is I get out of bed and get some work done. He stays in bed and watches me for a few more hours.
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