Growing Like a Weed - Page 20

guidofatherof5 · 05-26-14, 06:48 PM

Here's something very cool. I was in the kitchen preparing some chicken for the grill. I found a piece of meat about the size of a silver dollar. I thought it would be a nice treat for Tank so I walked toward his room but stopped outside the door. I could see his position in the water and knew where his head was even though I couldn't see it. I tossed the meat just over the lip of his enclosure. I watched as the meat cleared the lip and passed over where I thought his head would be. In the blink of an eye his head flew up and caught the treat before it ever hit the water.
It had to be only visible to him for a micro second but he was able to react and catch it.
Lightning fast reflexes. It was amazing to see.

Chub_by · 06-01-14, 05:13 AM

What a great animal, love seeing these udpates

guidofatherof5 · 06-02-14, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chub_by

What a great animal, love seeing these udpates

Thank you.

guidofatherof5 · 06-03-14, 03:09 PM

Tank woke up this morning while I was working on my laptop. I got face to face with him as I told him about his schedule for the day. It was then I noticed some retained beak shed on his lower beak. It was only on his right lower beak and I was bound and determined to remove it. I cradled his head in my hand and picked at the shed trying to get my finger nail under it. This wasn't working so I took out my pocket knife to do the job. Tank was fine with this and allowed me to remove it. He's such an agreeable turtle.
I don't think many turtles would tolerate this procedure let alone a 32 pound snapping turtle. Tank has once again proven to me that he trusts me as I trust him. During this procedure I kept an eye on his eyes and body language. I saw trust all the way, he was never concerned about any of it.
Here's a photo of him just waking up.
I'm so proud of the turtle he's becoming. This is a snapping turtle everyone should meet.

guidofatherof5 · 06-08-14, 03:38 PM

Lately, when I've posted about Tank I've put something like this "32+ pounds" To be honest it has been a guess on my part. I knew he was probably over 32 pounds but wasn't sure where he really was. I have noticed that he's seems to be very heavy lately but chalked it up to being 55 years old.
Today, Tank's weight was checked and I'm happy to report I can now put 35+ pounds for awhile. The big man has put on some good weight over the last 6 month. With no signs of slowing down he'll be at 40+ pounds by Christmas.
His weight might be changing but his docile attitude hasn't. He is still very interactive and loves spending time with me. If I'm not around when he comes out of his water he looks for me. Tank breaks all the stereotypes people might have about snapping turtles.

jpsteele80 · 06-08-14, 04:49 PM

Glad he's doing awesome, never get tired of hearing the updates on tank

guidofatherof5 · 06-08-14, 06:23 PM

He is such an entertaining turtle. Always something new with him. He lives with us and we love it.
Yesterday I walked into his room with my grass cutting hat on. Tank took a great interest in it. I sat down on the floor and leaned my head toward his water. I did this so he could smell and touch the hat. I could see he was close and his neck was stretched out. After a minute or so I began to wonder what he was doing. Just then he looked under the brim of the hat and saw my face. Once he saw my face he moved his head under the brim and close to my face. I started laughing at this 35 pound snapping turtle that wants to be near me. He stayed under the hat for a few minutes watching me, listening to me tell him how awesome he is. All that time his eyes and body language told me he was relaxed and trusted me.
Tank has changed the way I see snapping turtles. I've always admired them but never knew they could be so docile and interactive.
This of course is Tank we're talking about. I would never get this close to any other snapping turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 06-15-14, 05:26 PM

Tank has an appearance coming up on Tuesday. A local church wants him at their Vacation Bible School. "All God's Creatures" Then in less then 2 weeks he appears at the local library for a presentation I'm giving on snapping turtles.
I like getting Tank out in the public eye, he does so well with groups.
The trick is not showing him to early in the presentation because once he's out no one listens to me.

Lankyrob · 06-16-14, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guidofatherof5

Tank has an appearance coming up on Tuesday. A local church wants him at their Vacation Bible School. "All God's Creatures" Then in less then 2 weeks he appears at the local library for a presentation I'm giving on snapping turtles.
I like getting Tank out in the public eye, he does so well with groups.
The trick is not showing him to early in the presentation because once he's out no one listens to me.

I made that mistake the first school visit I did, got one of the snakes out and not one word I said was heard, the next time I did all the talk FIRST and then got the animals out, it was much better for me and the kids had more questions to ask as they had actually listened to the information. Good luck with it!

guidofatherof5 · 06-18-14, 04:41 PM

I didn't have to worry about Tank taking over as I wasn't given enough time to worry about it. I was told I had 45 minutes and was given 15. Tank did a great job and everyone was impressed with how docile he was. The adults couldn't believe how close I got to him. Tank seemed a little nervous but as long as I was close he was fine. From time to time he would give me a look as if he was saying "let's get out of here" When it was over and started leaving he calmed down and had a nice ride home in the back of the Subaru.

Cmwells90 · 06-18-14, 05:11 PM

This may have been answered already I'm just to lazy to look through 20 pages for it, but how do you transport him? Does he walk with you on a leash (if so I must see this). Or do you just pick him up?

guidofatherof5 · 06-18-14, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

This may have been answered already I'm just to lazy to look through 20 pages for it, but how do you transport him? Does he walk with you on a leash (if so I must see this). Or do you just pick him up?

I just pick him up. Usually when he's under his blanket he stays there. Once I get to a location I get the modified double stroller out and he goes in it. It has a cover and he stays calm. I used to carry him around in an extra large laundry basket but those days are over, he's just too big. At 35 pounds he's a lot of turtle.

guidofatherof5 · 06-22-14, 04:56 PM

Here's a couple of photos I took of Tank while he was out on a walkabout.

guidofatherof5 · 06-26-14, 05:11 PM

36 hours from now Tank and I will be doing a presentation at our local library. This is a library sponsored event so all the cost involved have be waived. The library has paid for all the advertising and media work.
I'm looking forward to getting Tank into the public eye in his own town.

guidofatherof5 · 06-28-14, 03:05 PM

The presentation is over and went great. Tank stayed in his stroller while I did my PowerPoint. When I uncovered him he was wide awake as if he was waiting for me. Once out he did a wonderful job. The 56 people that were at the meeting all wanted some up close and hands on time with him. After about 10 minutes of this Tank turned toward me and got close. He then relaxed and allowed more of the hands on. He never showed any signs of stress as long as I stayed close. Taking a step away caused him to move closer to me. There were a lot of good question and the audience was impressed with Tank, so was I.