Growing Like a Weed - Page 16

guidofatherof5 · 01-10-14, 09:20 PM

Tonight was a food day for Tank. He enjoyed shrimp and steak. Before I left I noticed a small piece of shrimp leftover. You know, that one that doesn't come out when you're peeling them. To make matters worse I only removed half of it when I tried. I was about to toss this small piece into Tank but then decided to trust him.
I then held the piece under the water pinched between my thumb and index finger. Tank was still in an active food mode and hurried to my hand. For a brief moment I thought I must be crazy to try and feed him this by hand. As Tank moved in for the strike I saw him concentrating on my index finger and I became worried. As he took this tiny piece out of my fingers I realize he was watching my finger so as not to bite it.
He's a smart, good turtle and I love him.

kwhitlock · 01-11-14, 07:25 AM

Tank is incredible, everytime I see a post on this thread I have to read it and see what he's done now! It's incredible that he will just take the food right out of your hands without biting you in the process!

guidofatherof5 · 01-18-14, 05:27 PM

Had another opportunity to feed Tank a very small piece of food. He once again appeared to be focusing on my index finger but carefully took the food from me. Amazing to see a 28+ pound snapping turtle being delicate while eating.
What a remarkable turtle he is.

guidofatherof5 · 01-31-14, 03:20 PM

In less then 24 hours Tank and I will be at the University of Nebr. at Omaha to give a presentation to the NE. Herp. Society.
The subject? Tank of course. To be more specific his remarkable life with us. The last time he was there he as only 6 pounds. Now he's near 30.
Tank and I are looking forward to the opportunity.

guidofatherof5 · 02-01-14, 04:33 PM

The presentation entitled Tank: The story of an amazing snapping turtle, was today. I gave this presentation to the NE Herp. Society. After a 25 minute PowerPoint Tank took center stage. He enjoyed all the attention, photos and neck rubs. He really is a people turtle. Toward the end I put Tank on the floor and before I knew it members were on the floor with him.
He's a great turtle ambassador.

guidofatherof5 · 02-07-14, 07:22 PM

Tank's Not the Fooling Kind

This evening I returned from the grocery store with some nice strawberries(on sale, the only way I can afford them) I quartered a nice one and tossed a section of it into Tank( 30 lb common snapping turtle - Chelydra serpentina) He snapped(no pun intended) it right up and quickly spit it back out and then gave ne a dirty look. A few moments later I returned to Tank with some steamed shrimp. He had that excited, hungry turtle look and gladly took what I offered. With only a few shrimp left I decided to get some strawberry in him. I took a piece of strawberry and covered it with the shrimp. Tank reached out for the shrimp and I dropped both items in. It was then I got another dirty look. A few seconds later, out came the strawberry and down went the shrimp. I decided not to attempt anymore subterfuge. I gave him his last shrimp but instead of swallowing it right down he held it in his mouth for a few seconds. He was checking it to make sure there wasn't any of that nasty strawberry.
He's too smart for me.

guidofatherof5 · 02-12-14, 10:24 PM

Tonight I feed Tank his shrimp and steak. During the process I dropped a couple of shrimp in the water rather then his mouth. Tank immediately looked back at my hand for more food. I showed him my empty hand. He relaxed and let me retrieve the shrimp from the water. The shrimp was right in front of him and well within striking distance but rather then striking he watched me as I picked it up. I find it so interesting that he allows me to do this while he's in a food mode. There is a lot of thinking going on in this turtles head. He's such a good smart turtle.

LiL Zap · 02-12-14, 10:32 PM

Tank is proof that reptiles do have intelligence. I am a firm believer that these animals learn and sometimes enjoy the company of people. I can't believe I missed this thread, it's really interesting! Good work!

guidofatherof5 · 02-12-14, 11:11 PM

Thanks. Tank is some turtle. Looking forward to the future with him.

guidofatherof5 · 02-17-14, 06:38 PM

Tank is now on Facebook. Search "Tank Gilfillan"

knicrn24 · 02-17-14, 06:53 PM

so glad I found this thread and Tank's story! What an amazing turtle!

guidofatherof5 · 02-17-14, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knicrn24

so glad I found this thread and Tank's story! What an amazing turtle!

Glad you enjoy it. He's a remarkable turtle.

infernalis · 02-18-14, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

Tank is now on Facebook. Search "Tank Gilfillan"

http://www.facebook.com/tankthemanturtle

guidofatherof5 · 02-22-14, 09:48 PM

Today, we were doing some reorganizing around the human part of the Ranch. My son (Kale) was in the attic and my oldest (Emmy) was on the ladder handing him things. She was at the top of a 5ft ladder when Tank came out to see what was going on. He looked up the ladder and saw him mom (Emmy). This was very interesting to him and he reached up toward her. He recognizes Emmy and was very curious as to why she was up on the ceiling. Why would he care? Why show any interest at all?
A short time later I walked into the kitchen as Tank was outside the bathroom door. He turned his head to look at me, then turned his body and walked to me. I sat down on the floor and he climbed up on my lap and just sat there. Why would he do that? I hope it’s because in us he feels comfort with our company. I hope he feels more secure being in close contact with us. He certainly likes to get involved in all the goings-on around the house.
Much earlier in the day he came to me while I was on the floor with my laptop. He put his front legs across my arm and relaxed. While I talked to him I noticed some gunk under his beak in corner of his mouth. I reached up and cradled his head with one hand and used my fingernail to remove the stuff. It took 3 tries to get the job done and Tank never offered any resistance. He’s so tolerate of me. A 30 pound snapping turtle could do some real damage if he wanted to.
Instead, I have Tank. We are so lucky.

CosmicOwl · 02-22-14, 10:11 PM

Honestly, I think reptiles probably have a lot more intelligence, curiosity and personality than we've yet discovered. Being mammals, it's going to be difficult for us to see things from the reptilian perspective though.