Caught in the Act!

German scientists have just reported an extraordinary discovery: the first known pairs of mating vertebrate fossils. The 47-million-year-old turtle remains offer clues to how a prehistoric lake became one of the world’s richest fossil troves.

The Messel Pit in Darmstadt, Germany, has provided a wealth of fossils that have greatly increased understanding of the Eocene Age (36-57 million years ago).

Click here to read the story at National Geographic.

Turtletude

Just chillin' on the patio, but still coppin' an attitude

Hope Rides Carl

And both fine looking specimens...

Call Me Sparky

Here I go again. Celebrating my independence (being allowed to run free on the deck), as you should be today on July 4th, when allowed to run free. This year, though, I have wheels. Viva le independence!

Colors of the West

Check out the colorful markings on this Western Painted Turtle's belly! Now that's art, and I want some. (better be careful, Mama's been seen around the house with her Sharpie...)

Karolyn Slowsky Behind the Scene

Please No Plastics

Unfortunately this fella doesn't have a chance. Please keep your plastic out of the ocean!

Tiny Turtle Tot

There he is. A newcomer.

R.I.P. Lonesome George

Today we say goodbye to Lonesome George, the world's longest eligible bachelor. With no known offspring from his subspecies left, Lonesome George, a Pinta Island tortoise, became known as the rarest creature in the world and the oldest, believed to be over 100 years old! Galapagos Island Park officials said the tortoise was found dead in his corral by his keeper of 40 years.

For the full story, click here.

Adios, my friend!

Robinson Crusoe 2012

A modern day Robinson Crusoe, Mr. Grimshaw bought an island in the Seychelles in 1962 and has lived there with his giant tortoises since. Check out the video below or click here to read his story.

Be Alert!

Mama spared a slider's life today by stopping traffic and helping my cousin cross the road safely.

For anyone who lives near water, keep an eye out for those of us needing to cross the road. We are going as fast as we can. Really. Give us a brake!

Swimmin' and Screamin'

It's Summer! Everybody into the pool!

Head House

Who wouldn't like to put a giant turtle head on their house?

(But why, you ask? only a human...)

Corner of Solitude

It's like my happy place. Right up there in the corner, under the warm light. Feeling good, although I know she's behind me with that damn camera again.

Leonard and Lula

Tortoise D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

After 115 years together, Austrian Giant turtles Bibi and Poldi are calling it quits. They can't stand to look at each other. I'm losing hope.

To read Bibi and Poldi's story, click here.

Bill Slowsky's Nightmare

[this was so funny that we'll keep it here just in case it comes back to life!]

Flipped Out

Some days I am not successful climbing back into the house and I end up flipped. Some humans panic and think I'm in pain. I play along, but the secret is to keep your cool, wedge your way toward the door mat and use your long, wrinkled (but decorated) neck to peform the 'quick flip' maneuver... then you are good to go!

Home Sweet Home

In the spirit of recycling, I approve of my furry friends setting up house in an expired terrapin house.

Henry Wishes Ben a Happy Birthday

Sir Thomas Turtleton

Sir Thomas Turtleton the turtle free at last

By Rob Beschizza at 4:21 am Monday, Jun 4, 2012 

A Cayman Island turtle farm will release a 60-year-old turtle, Sir Thomas Turtleton, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne. Sir Thomas weighs 600 lbs and has enjoyed a 30-year career as a stud turtle. From the press release:

As part of the Tag and Track programme, Green Sea Turtles fitted with satellite transmitters are released into the ocean and monitored online. When the animal surfaces during a transmission period, the tag sends a signal to a satellite, indicating its location.
As Sir Thomas Turtleton travels following his release, the team at the Cayman Turtle Farm will be able to use the data as signs that he has successfully survived the re-introduction to the wild, and scientists, both at the Farm and in like-minded organisations around the world, can view and assess the turtle's migration path.

(original article at http://boingboing.net/2012/06/04/sir-thomas-turtleton-the-turtl.html) 

Serious Crossing

thanks, Kath for all the KW shots!

Henri - He Remains.

My furry friend Henri is back. He simply cannot escape his tortured life.

Turtle Interrupted

Can't a guy just relax and take a nap without the paparazzi getting in my business? Just saying.

Don't Mess with Me

Seriously.

Turtle Trinkets

A relative recently visited Key West and snapped this in the gift shop. They seem to love turtles down there in Florida.

Flotilla of Fun

Let the season begin with a 'bounce'!

Is there any way you CAN'T have fun on this thing?

The Crawl

Not sure how I feel about this event, but certain I would kick some terrapin butt if I was included. It's the "Turtle Kraal" race at a bar of the same name. Where else but Key West?!

And the winner is....

The playing field:

World Turtle Day - May 23

In appreciation of turtles everywhere, you have been given a day of rest.

Humane Society celebrates "World Turtle Day"

Slowsky: Cranky and/or Moody

Fruit Frenzy

Like most humans, when strawberries are in season, I just go crazy for them. Can't control myself especially when they've landed right in front of me! I spotted a strawberry plant outside my window already full of flowers, so I'm in for a treat.

Dockside Dangle

Ah, the weather's getting warmer, and I'm feeling a like relaxing, dockside. Plenty of time for runs on the deck.

Henri - My Haunted Friend

Bon jour. My friend Henri is having a rough day. He is haunted.

Escapee!

This fella is determined to slowly escape and will carefully, and in his own time, scale any fence to prove it. He can smell the river just beyond the fence. Oh yeah, the lure of the river.

The Balancing Act



Life is fragile, so hang on, folks!

Hatchery at Kuta Beach

Kuta beach in Bali is one destination where sea turtles lay their eggs. The eggs face many threats before they can hatch and survive long enough to reach the sea. However, Kuta Beach Security and ProFauna have been cooperating to save turtle eggs laid on the beach. Between 2002 and 2007 there were more than 8,000 eggs laid on Kuta beach, of which 6,000 were successfully hatched and released into the ocean.

In Bali, the Olive Ridley species of turtle has been coming to the Kuta Beach area for centuries to lay their eggs. While Kuta Beach develops to be the most popular beach on the island, sea turtle populations have been declining for the past 7 years. Because of the unnatural traffic on the beach, it was carefully decided by the ProFauna group that upon finding nesting sites, the eggs should be relocated to a hatchery to improve their chance of survival.

Go Kuta Beach!

Mermaid

This lady is my friend, although she comes and goes with the tide.

Fab Flops

SUMMER IS COMING!!

My Cousin: The Bowsprit Turtle

The Bowsprit tortoise (Chersina angulata), also known as the Angulate tortoise or Rooipens, is a species of tortoise found in dry areas and scrub forest in South Africa.

A small, shy tortoise with a relatively variable shell. They can often be distinguished by their prominent "bowsprits", which are protrusions from their lower carapace under their chins. These are used by males to fight for territory or females.

Their natural habitat is the coastal scrub vegetation of the south-western part of South Africa. This natural range extends across the Cape Region, as far north as the southern part of Namibia. There is also a colony on Dassen Island, off the South African coast.

The Bowsprit tortoise is commonly kept as a garden pet in South Africa. It is also increasingly threatened by illegal collecting for the pet trade. Outside of their natural range and climate they do not usually survive well, so when exported overseas, these pets usually die. This is partly because they are adapted to the warm, dry, Mediterranean-type climate of South Africa. They also naturally eat a wide range of indigenous South African plants and, if kept in a garden, they require a similarly wide range of plants available to feed on. They will not stay healthy if fed only on lettuce.

This tortoise, like most reptiles, also needs to be able to regulate its own temperature, by moving between sunny and shady spots. If kept as a pet, it therefore needs a large garden where it can both warm itself in natural sunlight, as well as seek shade when necessary. It needs a dry habitat, as constant moisture is particularly bad for it.

First Run of the Season!

It's April. It's Sunny. And I was Born to Run!

Earth Day

I Share

When it comes to chow time, I'll share with anyone who is hungry. Because I'm slow, that's why. (...and because I'm generous... and because it's the cat's food anyway...)

*Note this photo was "borrowed" from the web and is not Henry.

Turtle Rock

Somewhere on the side of the road in Turkey, you can see this unusual but familiar rock formation. Do you see what I see?

Slow Down



It's Road Trip Season, so mind the critters, please

Not My Cousin: The Scariest Turtle on the Planet!

And for Friday the 13th, we have:

This frightening fella is the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the largest (and scariest) turtle that lives in fresh water in North America, and is also one of the largest turtles in the world. Looking like a prehistoric sea monster, it boasts a spiked shell, a jaw that reminds you of a birds beak, thick scaly tale and if you didn’t know better you would believe you were looking at a dinosaur.

You will find Alligator snapping turtles nearly always in rivers, canals and lakes, particularly in the Southern part of the United states, mostly the eastern side, they can and have lived to be nearly 100 years old. The males average about 2 and a half feet in shell length, and usually weigh about 150-175 although they have been known to grow to weigh more than 225 pounds. The (demure) females are much smaller, usually weighing only about 50 pounds.

Alligator snapping turtles use a unique means of hunting for prey.  They have a tongue that is worm shaped and very bright red. When lying without any movement on the bottom of a river or lake, they will flick the tongue and draw in curious fish or frogs to see what manner or worm or food this is, at which time they snatch the prey from the water.

As adults, the Alligator snapper has no real natural predator aside from human beings, who often take them for the meat (to make turtle soup) and the shell for adornments. They are also sold at times to exotic animal collectors. They are stable but because of unregulated harvesting and sales of the Alligator snapper, and habitat loss due to humans encroachment on their turf, they are protected in most states, and in nearly all areas where they live or range.

In the 'Zona

This Arizona turtle enjoys copious quantities of cactus. Go for it!

Cap-Size

All critters are cute when cap-sized!

Mucho Mossy

Can't get enough of the good green stuff!

Bronze Beauty in Belgium

"Searching for Utopia" on Nieuwepoort Beach, Belgium
by Jan Fabre, Belgian artist

Combat Camo

Always ready to serve!

Turtle Kiev

These conjoined tortoises are on exhibit in Kiev, Ukraine. A bit of a spectacle, I imagine. I bet these poor fellas don't get very far.

Thank you, Jim.