Macho the Three-Toed Box Turtle

25/08/2024

Turtle head is in bloom — here is the photo shoot my assistant insists on doing every year!

23/05/2024

Happy World Turtle Day!

06/04/2024

It looks like the grass might be a little greener on the other side.

14/02/2024

I'm turtlely yours!! Happy Valentine's Day!

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for those who care for us creatures, keeping us safe and healthy.

28/10/2023

Wishes for peace and justice.

21/10/2023

Happy National Reptile Awareness Day to my reptile and non reptile friends!

07/10/2023

Here's the story of how it came to be that I am called Macho. Way back, (10 years ago!! ) I came to live with my assistant. My assistant was informed that I was a female three-toed box turtle and because that was detemineded by a veterinarian, why woud anyone doubt that!? Well, with us box turtles, it's not always as obvious as one might think and some ways of distinguishing between male and female aren't 100%. So, while my eyes are red (typical of males) my plastron is not as concave as a typical male. Despite some doubts, my assistant went with the female identification and named me Bella (which means beautiful in Spanish!) I cannot even begin to tell you how distraught I was. I tried to let my assistant know but she ignored all of my attepts at communication. I finally had the opportunity to show my assistant that I am a male three-toed box turtle once and for all. My assistant was volunteering at a amphibian and reptile event and she brought me to help. She saw an enclosure with a couple of gorgeous Eastern and Florida box turtles, and added me to the group. She made sure they were female box turtles, of couse. This was my lucky day for so many reasons!! Not only would I be able to demostrate once and for all that I am a male box turtle, but I'll get to spend time with these lovely female turtles! I wasted no time. Within seconds of being put in the enclosure with the female box turtles, I went strait for the lovely Florida box turtle and began my romantic advances. There was NOT A SINGLE DOUBT now! I am not going to be graphic, but I think you get the picture of what happened next. My assistant realized that Bella would no longer be an appropriate name and quickly began to call me Macho which means male/masculine in Spanish. Can you imagine anyone ever thought I was a female turtle!?

05/10/2023

I dont think I ever told you all how I got my name, Macho. Who wants to know the story behind the name?

04/10/2023

Lovely evening with my assistant.

01/10/2023

This photo was taken a few years back… nothing has changed though— I still like sitting on my food dish!!

24/09/2023

This is the first photo my assistant took of me after I hired her. The first meal my assistant offered me was peaches. She just knew I would love them. Wonderful, ripe, juicy peaches.

22/09/2023

My assistant planted some wild black raspberry canes for me.. ( there is one on either side of me!) and in two years I should have all of the fresh black raspberries my little turtle heart desires!

18/09/2023

I’m inspecting the loofah my assistant planted in the garden.. I’m hoping to get at least one box-turtle sized loofah to scrub my carapace!

18/09/2023

I have to admit I was not really feeling this photo shoot. Marigolds are pretty smelly flowers.. and I’m not into this whole autumn pumpkin spice stuff like my assistant is. Oh no..🎃 pumpkin photo shoot is in a couple of weeks.

17/09/2023

17/09/2023

Out for a little walk on this beautiful day!

08/09/2023

Jewelweed is also called touch me not! Seed pods pop open when my assistant touches them!

08/09/2023

One of my assistant’s favorite plants, jewelweed ( Impatiens capensis!

08/09/2023

I have a new sibling… Hyacinth the Eastern Hercules beetle recently emerged ( from pupa). I have another sibling on the way who is a pupa now and we thing it’s a boy! We’ll name him Richard if it turns out to be male ( characters from one of my assistant’s favorite tv programs from many years ago, Keepibg Up Appearances) .

03/09/2023

My assistant helped with my annual photo shoot with my favorite plant, turtle head ( Chelone glabra)! My carapace still looks a little rough from my little accident when I made my great escape last year.. but it all has healed.

18/07/2023

My assistant’s gardens are coming along.. I love these purple coneflowers but I can’t wait for my favorite flower, turtle head ( Chelone glabra) to bloom in about a month! My carapace still looks a little rough from when I went on my neighborhood adventure but it’s healing up fine!

25/05/2023

I'm a little late but Happy World Turtle Day! My assistant has been busy so we are SHELLebrating this weekend.

01/12/2022

My assistant is back to teaching in the K-12 classroom and has a nature journal project listed on Donors Choose. Please consider donating to help her students connect to and appreciate nature (especially box turtles like me and this beautiful garter snake in the photo! ). Donations will be matched if you use the promo code LIFTOFF! https://www.donorschoose.org/project/nature-journaling-our-way-through-englis/7046856/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=teacherhub&utm_term=teacher_8384005&rf=directlink-dc-2022-12-teacherhub-teacher_8384005&challengeid=21951021

02/10/2022

I did get a few scratches from an encounter wiht a dog while I was on my "excellent adventure," but I'm safe and sound.

02/10/2022

What an adventure! I managed to escape my summer outdoor pen to do my own thing for a while and I was only gone for three nights. I decided to go home and my assistant was out looking for me and we ran into each other. Really, no big deal but my assistant was pretty upset and now I can't be outside unsupervised. I had a few scratches from an encounter I had with a neighborhood dog, but I'm just fine. My assistant tends to be a little dramatic. Here is the flyer that my assistant shared --really, I was not lost like she said.

04/09/2022

The turtle head plant has started blooming — I am pleased with this year’s photo shoot.

06/08/2022

The turtle head plant, Chelone glabra, my assistant planted has buds! Hope we'll be able to start up our annual tradition of our photo shoot...my head with the turtle head flowers!! (The one from a few years ago is my profile pic!)

27/06/2021

OHIO! My assistant has finally started making good decisions again and moved us to Ohio. I have a yard! My cat brother and I can enjoy being outdoors. And there was even a frog on the porch!

23/05/2021

HAPPY WORLD TURTLE DAY!!! (Blanding's turtles, listed at state threatened or endangered in most states where they occur getting a "head Start" being Captive reared for a year!