Shelled Friends

08/30/2024

The length of the tail on this hatchling Chinese goldenthread turtle is pretty impressive. It is one of the few species in my care where the hatchlings have a very long tail, the North American Wood turtle, and the Japanese wood turtle are two other species with this trait among hatchlings.

08/29/2024

Chinese box turtles make their way into the world. You will notice that the egg on the right has a large crack, this showed up midway through the incubation period. I debated using a liquid bandage but decided against it since I didn't see any discharge from that spot. Hoping that the hatchling is strong and healthy.

08/26/2024

Interested in a new turtle tee? Checkout the designs submitted for the Turtle and Tortoise TURTLE and TORTOISE PRESERVATION GROUP t-shirt design contest and vote for a design you like. See the original post for the link.

08/25/2024

Some of the surplus pancake tortoise hatchlings are ready for new homes. I'm going to miss these when they are gone.

08/24/2024

The stink eye is very real when I am late to feeding these gorgeous Forest hinge-back tortoises. One of the largest hinge-back species, these are an absolute favorite of mine. After years of resisting, I gave in earlier this year and was blessed with 1.2 amazing individuals, thanks to the Kinixys king .

08/19/2024

🙏

08/18/2024

Small species appreciation post 🙂 I focus a lot on species that are appropriate for those who are just getting started with turtles or short on space. Mud and Musk turtles are a big part of this goal. Here are a couple of species that I offer, first two pictures are of Tabasco mud turtles, and the rest are of a stinkpot musk turtle.

08/16/2024

Our rehab season is winding down (hope it stays that way) just in time as the 2024 hatchlings start emerging. The next few months will be busy as I work to get the hatchings feeding consistently on a varied diet and evaluate if they are healthy to go to new homes. Hope Fedex sorts out the hiccups they have had in recent times so I can ship without having a panic attack 🤞🏼

06/26/2024

Had an opportunity to try the new "Food fixer" from TortoiseSupply.com and have to say that the initial reaction has been very positive. See the video in the comment for the reaction from the pancake tortoises. For the record, these pancake tortoise were fed yesterday, so it wasn't like they were starving when I tested this product. Same story with my Hermann's and Russians that live outdoors. Give this a shot if you are looking to add something new to the mix.

06/14/2024

Was able to tune in for part of the TSA webinar on reintroduction of confiscated Radiated tortoises. A recording of the webinar is now available and I recommend you watch it if you have been curious about what TSA has been up to with these confiscated Radiated tortoises.

Lance Paden, great job with these animals. Thankful for people like you.

Take a deep dive with Turtle Survival Alliance experts on the journey home for 20,000 Radiated Tortoises in Madagascar. This reintroduction strategy provides...

06/11/2024

Looking forward to this one, https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MEVGEBeKQFWUuQ_U2KYlGw #/registration

Note, you need to register to be able to attend.

Take a deep dive with Turtle Survival Alliance experts on the journey home for 20,000 Radiated Tortoises in Madagascar. This reintroduction strategy provides hope for the Critically Endangered tortoises to finally return to the wild. Host: - Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO, Turtle Survival A...

06/09/2024

I have a soft spot for Mauremys, especially sinensis. Some of the gorgeous 2023 hatchligs that are now in my care.

06/07/2024

A hatchling Tabasco mud turtle that didn't want to miss my son's graduation celebrations. Restup, little one, hatching is an exhausting process.

06/06/2024

Young Tabasco mud turtle that I hatched lat year. Absolutely in love with the colors on this little one. I would highly recommend this species to anyone who is looking for a small and colorful species that is pretty easygoing.

06/03/2024

Head over to www.kapidolofarms.com and grab some goodies for your tortoises.

Kapidolo Farms delivers tortoises, food, supplies, and merchandise across the United States from our farm in Bonsall, California.

06/02/2024

Yearling Narrow bridged musk turtle. A truly animated species of turtle I have in my care.

06/01/2024

Few of the Eastern box turtles in my care. They are not sure if they like their turkey dinner mixed in with pellets and strawberries 🙂

05/31/2024

It's the season. Females of many species have been actively nesting here at my place. Soon out native turtles will be on the move, and I pray that they make their journey without being picked up by a concerned citizen or having a run-in with automobiles.

If you see a turtle/tortoise on the road then the best thing you can do for it is keep an eye on it and make sure motorists slow down, or if needed, move it off the road in the direction it was headed. Thanks for being a turtle guardian.

05/23/2024

Today, May 23rd, is World Turtle Day. It is a day of mixed emotions for me and many others who care about turtles everywhere. A lot of progress has been made in the past decade that deserves to be celebrated, yet there are many challenges that remain unchanged. Time to celebrate the progress, cheer for the species that are in a better place today, and continue to work towards progress for all the species and the natural world around us.

I would like to take a moment to applaud the turtle guardians everywhere who show up and work tirelessly in the face of numerous challenges, both out in the wild and in captivity. I am thankful for everyone who cares about turtles, appreciates them, and speaks up for them. You make the world a better place, and I am thankful for you.

Happy World Turtle Day!

05/14/2024

Here is a Kickstarter campaign worth your attention, and hopefully your money. A series focusing on some of the North American species, their status in the wild, and how we can help. Check out the campaign page and please share it with others.

A documentary series on the status of native North American turtle species.

05/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day! May you be celebrated, today and everyday.

Pictured are a couple of Colombian ramshorn apple snails and a cluster of their eggs.

05/11/2024

Thankful for warmer weather and fresh greens from the yard. Some of the Pancake tortoise hatchlings enjoying fresh grape leaves.

05/10/2024

Incredible video of a behavior that we talk about a lot when we talk about wood turtles.

05/09/2024

A pleasant surprise to start the day. I saw one acutum had hatched yesterday, but when I went to check on it this morning I was greeted by a second one. This species doesn't take much time to emerge once the egg starts to pip.