About a month ago, while we were driving home from an adventure, James spotted a little turtle in the road and stopped the car right in the nick of time to make the little turtle our pet. After some research, we found that it was an ornate box turtle and that it was a she. At the time Mason was obsessed with snakes so he called her Anaconda. We kept her for about a week before we let her go, but boy was she loved during her stay! Our boys could NOT leave her alone to save their lives and she was carted around the house and yard every chance they could get. On one occasion I heard Mason say, "Oh I love my pet turtle! There is only one thing wrong with her and that is that she isn't a boy." Even with that major flaw we sure loved Anaconda!
Box turtles with yellow eyes and leg markings are female and those with orange eyes and markings are male. Tough luck Mason!
She was extra fond of this tunnel game that Charlie and McCabe came up with. You can tell by the big smile on her face.
Box turtles can close up all the way.
After about eight hours spent in a cooler in our garage (thanks to McCabey) we decided that it would probably be best for our little friend if we let her return to the wild. Some tears were spilt but the boys were generally happy to see their beloved turtle bobbing along so happily in the water. Every time we drive by the spot where we released her, we wave hello and remind her of our undying love since I'm sure she has been missing us greatly.
She stayed still for a bit, probably thinking that it was too good to be true.
So watch out when you swim in the rivers of Kansas. There is at least one anaconda sharing the water with you!
3 comments:
I love all your pictures. They are all getting far too big. I cannot belief how Char looks so old now. So much fun. I so enjoy your blog.
love it!!! ha ha.
so cute!!!
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