tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post1450182439223023132..comments2023-04-08T06:06:13.055-07:00Comments on Notes from the Pens: TURTLE TALESAya Katzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830585801297506770noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-35811418806427179682014-08-06T09:15:36.856-07:002014-08-06T09:15:36.856-07:00Yes, Aya, they tend to become more social based on...Yes, Aya, they tend to become more social based on being in an artificial environment (the pen). At one time in the past, I had 14 turtles in it, and they all pretty much got along. The ones that aren't happy in the pen break out: these are usually hobo males that are just attracted by the females in the spring. This summer, I have had no turtle visitors to the backyard, not sure why. It may be that the scent of the groundhog next door deters them, although the groundhog does not bother turtles. Within the pen, there is distinction between types of box turtles, the three-toeds will not interact with ornate box turtles, or with Gulf Coast box turtles.Ozarklorianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348265376584155745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-7713911043521320642014-08-06T07:50:36.441-07:002014-08-06T07:50:36.441-07:00It is interesting that the turtles change their be...It is interesting that the turtles change their behavior toward one another based on being in a pen. It sounds as if they become more social based on the communal living arrangement that you have provided them.<br />Aya Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07830585801297506770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-50778389283033864412014-08-06T07:44:38.987-07:002014-08-06T07:44:38.987-07:00Yes, some people interchangeably use "domesti...Yes, some people interchangeably use "domesticated" for "tame", and in that sense of the word, it could be said my turtles are domesticated. Turtles are highly adaptive, though. In the wild, they usually are loners, and the females abandon their eggs once they are laid and buried. Placed in a pen, this loner behavior changes, as witnessed by the photo above of the two females sunning close together. Sometimes they sleep together, too, even though there are several places in the large pen that they can each go to. Two male turtles in a pen fight each other in the early spring, until the alpha turtle with mating privileges is determined, and then they get along. The reason I had to make the second pen for my male turtle Sam is he continually escaped the big pen, and one time last summer got attacked by either a dog, rat or other predator who chewed bits of his shell off. He cannot escape the new pen and is safe there, as the predator does not come into my back yard.Ozarklorianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09348265376584155745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-18105476023891508182014-08-06T05:49:06.846-07:002014-08-06T05:49:06.846-07:00Hi. Pam. I enjoyed your article, and the photos ar...Hi. Pam. I enjoyed your article, and the photos are stunning. I especially like the last one, where the little turtle is obviously smiling.<br /><br />I think the word "domesticated" has so many different meanings that even when people are using it "correctly" the connotations of other meanings are still there. If by not being domesticated you mean your turtles have not undergone a long process of genetic selection for being compatible with humans, then I agree. But one of the things that many people don't seem to grasp is that without genetic modification, many wild animals can relate to humans, just based on a positive experience with humans. Your turtles look very happy. Aya Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07830585801297506770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-20165035960568221312014-08-06T05:34:45.485-07:002014-08-06T05:34:45.485-07:00Very interesting! I've never heard of turtles...Very interesting! I've never heard of turtles flocking to regularly feed like that. I bet that is quite a sight to behold - 20+ turtles running for food. Ha!Nikkis Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04900207220789667368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974406546323301344.post-71915715426126709302014-08-05T19:42:05.249-07:002014-08-05T19:42:05.249-07:00I love the pictures of your turtles, and never kne...I love the pictures of your turtles, and never knew they enjoyed eating berries.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11147781152448695481noreply@blogger.com