warrenwinter's Journal, 24 May 2016

Sounds like fun...have a great day Warren! 

When I lived in L.A. (as a kid) a big tortoise showed up in our neighborhood, walking down the middle of the street. We lived 2 blocks from one of the canals, and everybody thought that's how it had arrived. Your guy looks amazing! 

Thanks Laura, and Trackin! Oscar has gotten out and stopped traffic before. People would get out of their cars and chase him, running down the middle of the street. But he still is around, and eats food like a silly, maniac.  

Since you live in a warm climate does your turtle hibernate? 

Love the photos!!!! :) 

Addie, he does hibernate mainly because of the cold. Since this is not a tropical climate, he basically eats nothing for the two months of cold, and we put him in a alcove in the garage.  

Thanks Suzy and Maine! Oscar needs a lot more care than people realize. He eats about $20 worth of food a week or so, and he doesn't care about plants or pots, if we allow him in the back yard. We just spent a few thousand to fence the area you see in the one picture, because he is so strong, he broke the previous fencing down. He is also valuable, as breeders want to find older adults. I would like to find him a permanent home, but I wish him not to be bred by opportunists. He could be sold for around $1200. He is only 18 years old and could live 100 or more years. 

He is called an African Spur-thighed Sulcata! 

Bless your heart Warren...you are always in such a positive mood. Trying to get it to rub off on me....I'm in a bit of a funk right now. Lovin' Oscar....wish I weighed what Oscar weighs!!!! Keep smiling! Love all the pics! 

Linny, you are an attractive lady, and I know you are frustrated with trying to get your past self back. You keep at it, because I want to see those great before and afters. I know you can do. It will make a great difference in your life, and the way you feel. I have faith in you, dear! You can do it! 

Your fur-babies are ADORABLE! And Oscar looks so spry and happy!  

I love people who love reptile pets, I found an eastern mud turtle baby in my office in Jupiter one year, he was traveling around disguised as a dust bunny. I put him in a tank and when he would hear my voice he would start climbing his rock and nose diving off it over and over. He knew me and I believe he had a certain amount of affection for me. I loved my snakes too, people think of reptiles as cold, clammy, heartless creatures, but they are far from that. My daughter has an Iguana named Buttercup, she is the most beautiful thing, an iridescent rainbow creature. She's 6 feet long and weighs about 20 lbs. They lived in Henderson, Nevada for 6 years (right outside of Vegas) Buttercup suffered badly in the low humidity desert climate. My daughter called me and asked me how to fix it and I told her to go buy a koi pond and make Buttercup a habitat around it and install some misters overhead. It worked like a charm. They moved back to Florida and now Buttercup has the tropical climate she was built for. Great job raising a tortoise for so many years Warren! 

I think the dog's want some watermelon too.  

Debra, that is neat you have an affection for reptiles. I remember when I was 12, I saved an iguana, who was swimming in the waters of Puerto Vallarta. Seems the iguana had hurt its tail, and somehow got to the ocean. I brought him to our patio, and when he felt better in a few hours, left to the jungle area there. Thanks for describing the story of your daughter's iguana. That is a wonderful story, and often so many of these animals wind up dying from neglect. My wife is a huge animal advocate, and our mailbox is full each day from all the animal groups, she donates to. 

Janelleas, the dogs are always getting into nonsense with food that is not theirs. Lately, it has been peanuts for the squirrels, and large birds. Our place is somewhat of an arboretum, and we just gave it all a huge trim. It is coming back already. Soon I am going to post some pics of the trees. It is beautiful this time of year. Thanks! 

All of the reptiles we have kept as pets were rescues, South Florida is a place that is chock full of people who buy exotic pets then dump them in a canal when they get tired of them, finding folks who will foster them until a good permanent home is found for them is a very tricky job, keeping them properly housed, heated and fed is expensive and no-one thinks about the future of a creature who lives 60 to 70 years when they see the cute little baby snake at the pet store. So sad! I think people ought to be required to attend a care training class before they take one home. 

Aw, thank you Warren. I just keep finding reasons to get back on track on "Monday"!!! That's especially not a good idea when you start planning that on a Tuesday!!!!! Nightie nite... and thanks for your kind words. 

You are welcome, dear!