Turtle, The Western Painted Turtle Playing Uno

Since Turtle, the Western Painted Turtle will probably outlive me, I thought I would give you a brief update on how he’s been doing. Yes, he could easily live for another forty years. Amazing, isn’t it?

Anyway, Turtle is fine. He thinks that he has a disco ball and has been loving it. The sparkly colors keep him occupied for hours day after day.

I won’t ever tell him it is just an over-sized Christmas ornament ball. Sometimes Turtle starts dancing around the tank like he’s John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

Another thing about Turtle is I can tell that one of the sections of his shell is shedding. I don’t know why, but that is one of my favorite things about the turtle. I love how he sheds his shell in those funky shapes. Each portion of his shell is shaped differently and when it sheds, it kind of loosens up, flops around when he’s swimming for a bit and then it just comes off in the water. I think it must itch while he’s shedding because he scratches his back on the rock. Watching him scratch his back is a sight. Actually, it is a bit funny.

Can you tell he wants to know what I’m doing? I think Turtle is saying, “You know I don’t like that camera so put that thing away. Can’t you tell I’m shedding? This is NOT the best time to take my picture.”

I couldn’t help myself! His claws are so cool and I love being able to see his nostril holes. LOL

I’m sure the picture wasn’t bothering Turtle. The thing that was really bothering the turtle was that I interrupted his Uno card reading. Oh yeah! He loves the Uno cards. I also have the directions out for him to read too. I really need to make a video of Turtle reading. It is phenomenal. No kidding. Turtle does amazing and weird things!

Turtle is so precious.

Just don’t ask me how special I think he is while I’m cleaning out Turtle’s 55 gallon tank. “Precious” wouldn’t be what I would be calling him.