(An African spurred tortoise [Centrochelys sulcata], just short of a yard long, receiving the adulation of passersby at the Northwest Washington Fair.)
It was part of a reptile show; the presenter had just arrived and was busy unloading from the trailer to the right and setting up just off-camera. He'd set his star attraction down to ramble about eating dandelions while he prepared for the first show. The publicity probably wasn't unwelcome, either.
He also had a large albino python that passersby could hold, if they dared and were strong enough. (As usual for that species, the snake was as sweet and even-tempered as the tortoise. Good choices for a children's show.)
All of our tortoises are California Gopher Tortoises, endemic to the Deserts here. I have Mom and Pop and their three offspring. Pop came first, hit in the Mojave and rescued by my Dad 50 years ago. I then rescued Mom while working for Project Wildlife, many years later; she is from the coastal group. They have had numerous off spring but only one green-blue eyes like Mom.
I love chelids. My favourite is the box turtle, holdover from an early childhood in Kentucky. No box turtles here in Puget Sound country, unfortunately. Not many turtles at all, though we do see a painted turtle every so often, and in theory we still have Pacific pond turtles though I'm not sure I've ever seen one. (They're endangered.)
Anyway, as long as it's a lizard in a box, I'm into it.
That tortoise is quite huge indeed! It must have attracted a lot of onlookers.
ReplyDeleteWow! I hope it is safe.
ReplyDeleteIt was part of a reptile show; the presenter had just arrived and was busy unloading from the trailer to the right and setting up just off-camera. He'd set his star attraction down to ramble about eating dandelions while he prepared for the first show. The publicity probably wasn't unwelcome, either.
ReplyDeleteHe also had a large albino python that passersby could hold, if they dared and were strong enough. (As usual for that species, the snake was as sweet and even-tempered as the tortoise. Good choices for a children's show.)
Those Sulcatas get HUGE. lol
ReplyDeleteAll of our tortoises are California Gopher Tortoises, endemic to the Deserts here. I have Mom and Pop and their three offspring. Pop came first, hit in the Mojave and rescued by my Dad 50 years ago. I then rescued Mom while working for Project Wildlife, many years later; she is from the coastal group. They have had numerous off spring but only one green-blue eyes like Mom.
I love chelids. My favourite is the box turtle, holdover from an early childhood in Kentucky. No box turtles here in Puget Sound country, unfortunately. Not many turtles at all, though we do see a painted turtle every so often, and in theory we still have Pacific pond turtles though I'm not sure I've ever seen one. (They're endangered.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as long as it's a lizard in a box, I'm into it.