Growing Like a Weed - Page 10

smy_749 · 08-23-13, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin budd

This is my first day on this forum and I came a cross your thread. I have to say I've read every post and look forward to the continued updates. If I hadn't watched the videos my self I would have call pier, but you sir have a God among Turtles. I currentlyhave 2 in my possession1normal 1 pastel, both males of about a year and a half old. I keep them in a outside pen with the rest of our rescued turtles. I love them to death and would never part but no way in this world would I put my hand in front of there face. They are faster that my Nile Croc. My hats off to you. Very few people would have the insight to recognize his gentle nature. I look forward to the continued sagaof tank.
Have you ever considered writing a children's story about tank? That's one way of getting his story out there with out the media twisting it around for there own agenda.

You have a nile croc?

I have to admit, I'm not big on turtles but this thread is something 'different' from what most posts on this forum are about. Its definitely intriguing to read about tanks antics. If you didn't have picture / video proof I wouldn't have believed most of it either. Cool thread for sure.

guidofatherof5 · 08-23-13, 07:31 PM

He's the real deal.

guidofatherof5 · 08-23-13, 08:26 PM

Tank went into sleep mode late yesterday afternoon. 30 hours later he is still resting under his goose down blanket .
I have encourage him to get up but all I can get out of him is a stretch and the closing of eyes.
I must say that I told him he could sleep 48 hours if he wanted to but I didn't think he would take me at my word.
I do check to make sure he hasn't had an accident but so far so good. No snapping turtle poo. He's been very good at holding it until he hits his water. He's had a handful(no pun intended) of accidents in his lifetime but nothing paper towels and a carpet cleaner can fix. In case your are wondering, snapping turtle poo smells very, very bad.
I've raised 5 kids and worked law enforcement for 28 years so I don't get grossed out.

infernalis · 08-23-13, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

He's the real deal.

And so are you Steve.

guidofatherof5 · 08-24-13, 08:16 AM

Here's Tank this morning just before I got him up. Notice the front leg stretched out being used as a head rest. He is one relaxed turtle. After this photo I carried him to his water. After 10 seconds in the water he cut loose with the urine. I had no Idea he could hold that much. I'm more impressed/thankful that he held it until he was in his water.

guidofatherof5 · 08-28-13, 08:55 PM

Some interesting Tank (Chelydra serpentina) - Common snapping Turtle information. Tonight was a feed night and I was late getting him his food. Tank was ready to eat when I walked in with his steak and shrimp. I offered a couple strips of steak to start things off and then some shrimp. Switching to the shrimp I moved to fast on the second shrimp as I passed it in front of his face just above the water. Understand, this next part took only a millisecond to happen. As my hand was in perfect position for a strike, his head flinched forward and then stopped. He then looked at my fingers holding the shrimp and then the shrimp itself. I saw his pupils constrict as he zeroed in on my fingers and then the shrimp. He then ignored my fingers and nicely took the shrimp out of them. He stopped himself(instincts) from kicking in and made a different choice.
I've always said he's a thinking turtle and this just helps me to see that. I must be honest and say that I put myself in harms way with Tank everyday. I do this to see if he really is something(in my opinion) special. I know there is a possibility of injury but I'm willing to risk that for his sake. Our relationship is very unique. Don't get me wrong, I don't blindly hand feed him but I do take some risks. I guess they'll be calling me the crazy snapping turtle guy along with the crazy garter snake guy.

Theweinz · 08-31-13, 03:25 PM

What a beautiful turtle! He obviously knows the difference betwix humans and food! I just hope he continues to recognize the distinction. I have a very young alligator snapper and I am not putting my fingers in front of his face anytime soon! Awesome thread

guidofatherof5 · 09-02-13, 03:40 PM

Tank Update

Today was a food day and Tank was ready to eat. He was taking long(3-4 inch) steak strips from my finger without any problems when I came to the last piece.
This piece was less then an inch long and to be honest I felt I should just drop it in the water for him to eat. That's not what I did as I was willing to take a bite by trusting him.
I held the piece and my hand under the water so he could get a clear look at the food. He approached and studied the situation looking at both by fingers and the food, all the time being within striking distance. He then did an interesting thing. He reached out and touch my finger tip with his snout and then the food. He then took the piece of food out of my fingers, never touching my fingers with his beak. I think he was measuring the food up for the kind of strike need to get the food but avoid my fingers. Even the way he opened his mouth was different. He only opened it wide enough to take in the food and not my fingers.
Once again he shows me that he's a thinking turtle. There are processes and thoughts going threw his brain that you wouldn't expect from a snapping turtle. Why should he care what he grabs as long as it is food. I'm once again amazed by my boy Tank.

guidofatherof5 · 09-02-13, 05:13 PM

I just had to post this photo of a young Tank. Even then he showed his great attitude. He looks like such a goof in the photo.

smy_749 · 09-02-13, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

I just had to post this photo of a young Tank. Even then he showed his great attitude. He looks like such a goof in the photo.

He has an old man with no teeth face.

guidofatherof5 · 09-03-13, 07:10 PM

A tolerant snapping turtle.

Over the last week I've noticed a strange crack on the side of his upper left beak. Tonight, I figured out what was wrong. He has an over-growth that would usually break off if he where in the wild and in a natural environment. I knew he wouldn't like me using a pair of clippers so I decided to pull it off with my fingers.
So I cradled his head in my hand and peeled the extra beak piece off. Tank only resisted a little but never showed any signs of being angry or threatened. He did have every opportunity to bite me but chose not to. I'm glad for that. The other side will need done in a few week so I take care of it then.
Not to shabby for a big snapping turtle.

infernalis · 09-04-13, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

A tolerant snapping turtle.

Over the last week I've noticed a strange crack on the side of his upper left beak. Tonight, I figured out what was wrong. He has an over-growth that would usually break off if he where in the wild and in a natural environment. I knew he wouldn't like me using a pair of clippers so I decided to pull it off with my fingers.
So I cradled his head in my hand and peeled the extra beak piece off. Tank only resisted a little but never showed any signs of being angry or threatened. He did have every opportunity to bite me but chose not to. I'm glad for that. The other side will need done in a few week so I take care of it then.
Not to shabby for a big snapping turtle.

That is a level of trust that goes beyond what anyone would expect from a snapping turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 09-11-13, 07:48 PM

Tank pulled a fast one on me last night. He had been begging for food on a non-food day so I made him wait. That's hard to do it you could see his eyes and body language. It came time for bed so out of his water I took him and into his blankets under the book case he went. About an hour later I went to bed only to be woken up by my oldest. She asked if I had put Tank to bed? I told her yes. Then why is he sitting in the empty bath tub? The punk got up and went back to his water but of course there wasn't any. My oldest was nice enough to run him some water and get him settled in. I got up a little early this morning so I could feed the monster. He was watching out for me and was ready to eat.
On a side note he refused to eat a piece of his steak. It had some fat on it and apparently didn't feel right in his mouth. What a spoiled turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 09-15-13, 02:28 PM

Today is Tank's 5th Birthday. 26 pounds in 5 years is remarkable growth. His attitude continues to be great. He seeks us out for interaction. Such a strange, wonderful turtle.

Lankyrob · 09-15-13, 03:21 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tank!!!!!