Growing Like a Weed

[mrgrimm]

I should be in bed right now but reading your Tank thread has kept me up. Amazing thing you have going on here, I have always been fascinated by snappers. I lucked upon a nest of over a dozen fresh hatchlings while working for a landscaping company about 10 years ago, It was a great day that I will never forget. My boss took them all and he said he released them into his pond but I don't know the fate of any of them. I would have taken them myself if I was able, but was in some unfortunate times then.

Also scooped up a big guy in a plastic tub that was out randomly in the neighborhood. Some of the neighbors were really freaking out and were talking about calling the police so I figured I would get him out of there before anyone did something terrible to him. He was tricky to get into the tub, and like you said earlier in the thread just lightning fast strikes! I walked about 1/2 mile to the pond I think he was trying to make it to and let him go. He went under, and resurfaced about 15 ft. away almost like giving me a little "thank you" (Even though in the tub he was not to happy and manged to crack it and of course it leaked the stinky pee/stuff all over me!)

I can only imagine the joy of being around Tank every day! I will show this to some members of my family and hopefully they can appreciate the amazing snapper a little more.

[guidofatherof5]

Originally Posted by mrgrimm

I should be in bed right now but reading your Tank thread has kept me up. Amazing thing you have going on here, I have always been fascinated by snappers. I lucked upon a nest of over a dozen fresh hatchlings while working for a landscaping company about 10 years ago, It was a great day that I will never forget. My boss took them all and he said he released them into his pond but I don't know the fate of any of them. I would have taken them myself if I was able, but was in some unfortunate times then.

Also scooped up a big guy in a plastic tub that was out randomly in the neighborhood. Some of the neighbors were really freaking out and were talking about calling the police so I figured I would get him out of there before anyone did something terrible to him. He was tricky to get into the tub, and like you said earlier in the thread just lightning fast strikes! I walked about 1/2 mile to the pond I think he was trying to make it to and let him go. He went under, and resurfaced about 15 ft. away almost like giving me a little "thank you" (Even though in the tub he was not to happy and manged to crack it and of course it leaked the stinky pee/stuff all over me!)

I can only imagine the joy of being around Tank every day! I will show this to some members of my family and hopefully they can appreciate the amazing snapper a little more.

Thanks for taking the time to save one of these very unique and misunderstood turtles.

[mrgrimm]

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

Thanks for taking the time to save one of these very unique and misunderstood turtles.

Thank you for dedicating your life to one of these creatures and sharing your story with pics and vids to boot.

[guidofatherof5]

Originally Posted by mrgrimm

Thank you for dedicating your life to one of these creatures and sharing your story with pics and vids to boot.

It's a pure pleasure. Tank is a great turtle and a worthy member of our family.

[guidofatherof5]

Tank woke up this morning and stuck his head out from under his goose-down blanket. We had a long talk about what was on his schedule today then he came out and headed to the bathroom. I hurried and filled the tub for him as he rounded the corner and came into the bathroom. I was proud of him being so responsible. A couple hours later I decided to make his bed for the coming night. It was then I found out why he came out of his bed. It was wet. Guess he wasn't so responsible.
He's usually very good about hold it until he hits the water. That was not the case this time.

[guidofatherof5]

A couple nights ago Tank refused to sleep under his bookcase. He then spotted the recliner and decided that was the place to be. He climbed up and settled in for the night. I'm so glad he's not spoiled.
Here he is doing his morning stretches. I helped him down from the chair and he headed for his water to take care of business.
He's at 27.5 pound right now. I'm guessing by Feb. he'll hit the 30 pound mark. He's not showing any signs that this growing is going to stop anytime soon. His shin shedding has really increased over the last couple of months. I'm hoping he'll top out around 50 pounds. I did a beak inspection this morning while he was yawning. The edge on the beak in as sharp as a very good pair of scissors. No wonder man is his only concern in the wild. I'm glad he's such a gentle monster. My family loves him and would be lost without the big guy in the house.

[Lankyrob]

Awesome as always!

[guidofatherof5]

I must be getting to know my Tank pretty well. Tonight, I walked into the bathroom and Tank gave me a new look. It wasn't a "feed me" look and it wasn't a "my water is dirty" look. From the body language I was seeing it had to be "I'm tired and want to sleep in my bed" I drained his water and he reached out for me to pick him up. I carried him into the living room and put him in his bed. With no hesitation he crawled into bed and settled in. I tucked his blankets in around him and turned out the lights. What a special turtle. I am so privileged to have him in our family.
So much personality in such a misunderstood reptile.

[infernalis]

Yes Steve, he is truly one of a kind.

[MizCandice]

What amazing growth, he seems like an amazing pet and sooo cute!

[guidofatherof5]

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

I must be getting to know my Tank pretty well. Tonight, I walked into the bathroom and Tank gave me a new look. It wasn't a "feed me" look and it wasn't a "my water is dirty" look. From the body language I was seeing it had to be "I'm tired and want to sleep in my bed" I drained his water and he reached out for me to pick him up. I carried him into the living room and put him in his bed. With no hesitation he crawled into bed and settled in. I tucked his blankets in around him and turned out the lights. What a special turtle. I am so privileged to have him in our family.
So much personality in such a misunderstood reptile.

He gave me that same look again tonight. It only took a few moments in his bed for him to settle in. He rules the house and we don't mind. Getting to work so closely with such a large snapping turtle is great. He has so many opportunities to bite me and never does. He moves around my hands and arms with no interest at all. He is used to me touching him and working with him, it's just the life he lives.
He's adjusted well to life with humans. I know there are times he doesn't want me messing with him(rubbing dead skin off) but he never bites to get his point across.
Look at that face, what a handsome young man turtle.

[guidofatherof5]

Had an interesting situation happen with Tank today. I was in the bathroom sitting on the floor talking with Tank. I was leaning over the tub so I could be close to him. My youngest Daughter came in to give me a hug, leaning against my back. Tank immediately took an interest in this. My daughter saw it and assured him she wasn't going to hurt me. I reached in and placed my hand on his shell to reassure him I was okay. He didn't react to me touching his shell. With my hand on his shell Hailee reached in and touched him. He was watching her and the moment she touched his shell he bristled against it.
I found it very interesting that he was fine with me touching him but not Hailee. Such a fun turtle to observe. He always surprises me with his reactions to what is going on.

[guidofatherof5]

Bedtime for Tank was met with a reluctant turtle. He decided to try for some more water time so I closed the bathroom door and turned out the kitchen lights. What usually happens is Tank walks out to a dark room then opts for the lighted living room and heads for his bed or to sit with me while I'm on my laptop. I went back into the living room and a few moments later I heard the sound of a turtle fighting with a fixed object in the kitchen. I ran to the kitchen and found Tank fighting with the cabinet over-hang. While he's walking he'll rub against them. He gets mad and he pushes back. Since the over-hang isn't moving he keeps pushing. I pulled him away for the cabinet and he took a defensive stance(rear-end up, head pulled in) I immediately laid on the floor and told him all was fine. There was only a couple inches between our faces so he had the perfect opportunity to bite me. Instead, he pushed his head out and lowered his rear. Within seconds of being ready to defend himself he calmed to his relaxed self. I knew I was taking a big risk but if he's going to live with us it's good to know where he stands.
I know I sing the praises of Tank all the time but this really is a special turtle. I also know the reality of what he is and know I've got some bites coming in the future. The way it's looking those bites will come because of mistakes made by me. Tank continues to show he's fine with his human family.

[sharthun]

Awesome turtle!!!!!

[Hotchkiss]

I love this thread