Getting Warmer All The Time"

Hello Everyone:
Ah, spring has finally arrived and looks to be here to stay. It has been a very cold winter which has slowed local turtle activity greatly (duh, but usually in Florida it never gets cold enough to slow them down much). Things are all sunshine and warmth now so it's time to get back out into the wilds to check out the activity.
I saw a picture from a small local paper showing five adult turtles (Sliders, either Peninsula or red-Bellies) and two small Alligators sunning themselves after the hard winter. They all looked none the worst for wear. then it got colder again for another ten days or so.
In early April they opened a new park near where I live and I got some great video of a large female Peninsular Cooter (Pseudemys floridana peninsularis) just floating on the surface near a boardwalk. The turtle was easily 12-14" straight line measurement. She showed no signs of fear for all the people gawking at her so that was pretty cool. She looked very good so it was obvious the cold winter didn't bother her either.
A few days later I returned to the park with my Daughter and Grandson. There was another turtle at another point in the lake. This one was smaller but I never got a good look at it because it disappeared under the water too quick. I'll see it another day.
On the way home from the park I drove by a creek near the house that I used to frequent as a youth. There on the bank of the creek sat four very healthy Sliders/Cooters soaking up the warm, early afternoon sun. It was about !:30 P.M. It was a nice way to close out the day "Turtle Watching."
Yep, spring is here and I look forward to lots of turtle activity.
Have a Great Day!!!

"Welcome to Shell Shack"

Hello Everyone:
Welcome to Shell Shack, the place where man and turtle can meet on equal ground. These wonderful animals have been around since the days of Dinos and are still here to tell their tales. Unfortunately their fairy tale story of survival is being marred by the ever encroaching advancements of mankind. Though the stopping of our detructive ways will most likely never happen, there are probably many ways in which man can live side by side with these amazing ancient animals.
Turtles are very long-lived, some even being reported as surviving longer than human beings. Unfortunately that usually means they are slower growing than many of their reptilian friends (especially lizards, many of which can mature and breed within the first year of life) and as such slower to mature. therefore their numbers can easily be exponentially altered by changes in their environment.
Turtles are a sign of longevity in many cultures. They are also considered a delicacy in many cultures as well and thus end up being a part of someone's menu. This is a growing problem in the orient today. The demand for turtle flesh is slowly exceeding the supply which could mean a downward spiral for many species. Real life solutions must be reached that would be acceptable by both Man and Chelonian alike in order to stem the tide of this cxurrent trend.
Not all is doom and gloom for these animals. They also make excellent pets and have been kept by people for hundreds and (who knows) maybe thousands of years. Pet turtles can be wonderful animals, learning to recognize their people and leading long lives that eclipse all animals except for large parrots, some amphibians, and Koi. Is it possible the salvation of these animals lies in the hands of those who love them most...Pet turtle keepers?
It is not the scope of this blog to take sides in the ongoing political play concerning these animals, it's just to talk and learn a little more about our Chelonian friends, the Turtles!!!
Have a Great day!!!