Saturday, March 12, 2016

Turtle Heater

I have mentioned in previous posts that MeMa has two box turtles in her care. Ruby and Elmo are both rescues who are housed in the laundry room. Ruby has been aged at 100 + and Elmo is just over 50. Last year we had central air put in and during the process they told us we would lose the heat vent in the laundry room because the equipment would block it. At the time we thought nothing of it because the laundry room has always been extremely warm and assumed since the furnace was in there it would remain warm even with the loss of the vent........wrong! It is not anything close to uncomfortable, quite the opposite actually. But evidently MeMa's charges think just the opposite and have tried unsuccessfully to go into hibernation. Today we have put an end to their feeble attempts to sleep until June by purchasing a "turtle heater". Our local hardware store had a very limited supply of one and we just were not prepared to spend nearly $100.00 on a heater thats sole purpose was to keep two lazy turtles awake for a couple of more months,  sooooooooo we did the unthinkable and purchased the same heater from a " big box " store for $40.00


 
So with this purchase we should start seeing a flurry of activity in the laundry room turtle population, woohoo!
 
 
Ruby

20 comments:

  1. Doc, I too love turtles and watched unknown species at the lake at the city house sun themselves on rocks along the edge of the pond. I would love to bring my snapping turtles from the farm pond up here, but I am not sure how they would handle the new little lake. They are used to the small farm pond and the residents surrounding the lake might not like snapping turtles in it.

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    1. Your snappers might liven things up there a bit

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  2. You do what you have to do to keep your charges and costs within reason.
    You all take care and God bless. ♥

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  3. I once had a Tortoise who (unknown to us) hibernated underneath a bonfire. The rest is predictable.

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    1. They are creatures that love warmth but that is a bit over the top

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  4. I love turtles, i used to grow them too but i dont find them here any more.

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    1. When I think of their extreme age it makes me wonder about the life they have lived.

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  5. No, no, not lazy. Indulgent, perhaps.

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  6. One tries to support local stores but sometimes have to go to the big
    boxes. Hope your turtles appreciate the heater.

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    1. Ruby has responded well and finished a good meal, Elmo is taking his sweet time. My wife said "typical male".

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  7. When you've reached a hundred I think that a little cosseting is allowed!

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  8. They sound like fun little pets, do your grandchildren like them? x

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    1. People laugh when we say they different personalities, but it is true. Ruby is very social and Elmo is just the opposite. The grandchildren love them and love to help MeMa feed them.

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  9. I hope they appreciate it. I didn't realise they lived to be 100. Pity they can't talk as they are sure to have some stories to tell.

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    1. The heater has made a world of difference

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  10. Would they hibernate in the winter in the wild? If so, it might actually be good for them to have a rest once a year.

    I love turtles. Well, except for snapping turtles. I once attempted to help a big old snapper across a street to safety, and it nearly took my hand off. I just barely jumped back in time. At that point, that damn turtle was on his own in the street! ;)

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    1. Years ago I was advised by our vet not to let them hibernate as the risks are high in a home environment. We have had them for 36 years now and they seem to be very happy and healthy, with the addition of the turtle heater I am happy to report awake and eating again. Glad you avoided injury as those snappers can be very dangerous.

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