Gopher tortoise

WilliamClark77WilliamClark77 Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
edited June 17, 2008 in Wildlife
I've never posted here in wildlife before and I know these aren't the best pics, but I thought yaw might enjoy these.

A few weeks ago this gopher tortoise showed up in my backyard. They are a protected species here and it is illegal to bother them in any way. He's flat out made himself at home.

He's become as much of a pet as my dog. He hides anytime someone goes in my back yard, but if I sit outside for a few minutes eating plums or blueberries he'll come up sniffing for his share. I don't feed him often since they won't eat the grass they need if they have too much fruit. I wish about five more would show up so I wouldn't have to cut my grass. He keeps a nice spot low.

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He's very friendly. I don't know if he's had human interaction before. I'm sure he'll disappear once the weather cools off or my garden dries up (or he eats everything in it first). He runs away when anyone else comes around. He wasn't too sure about her, but the plums were too tempting.

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He's not bothered by my dog either. He disappears at first sight of the neighbors' annoying dog though. It's pretty funny to feed the dog and look out later to see them sharing food.

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Comments

  • JAGJAG Super Moderators Posts: 9,088 moderator
    edited June 15, 2008
    cool experience I am sure. He looks rather content to stay! He must have had some sort of contact to take food from you...or he was really hungry!
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2008
    that would be neat. :Dthumb.gif
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2008
    Very cool series. Thanks clap.gif
  • summerzsummerz Registered Users Posts: 494 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2008
    Nice pics, great experience.:cheeburga:
  • WilliamClark77WilliamClark77 Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
    edited June 15, 2008
    Thanks! He's been rather neat to have around. The only "problem" I've had out of him is digging up onions. Not a hindrance though since it keeps me from having to do it and he doesn't eat the actual onion part anyway. I forgot to mention my backyard is about one acre, and 18 acres if you count the field behind it.

    Hmmm, somebody's been in the bluerberry bush!

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  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2008
    a great story to with the shots thumb.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2008
    Cool thread here thumb.gif Thanks for posting it. Wildlife never ceases to amaze. One of the best things about wildlife photography is the time if forces you to spend studying critters. Of course it's a lot easier to study them if they move in with you headscratch.gif
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2008
    Sounds like you have a great spread for him to settle in.

    Very cool experience and thanks for sharing it thumb.gif
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2008
    Good captures. thumb.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2008
    Neat pictures; nice story. I hope it stays around a while.
  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2008
    Wow, intersting story.
    I didn't know tortoises can tell humans apart, but I guess so.
  • WilliamClark77WilliamClark77 Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2008
    Thanks everyone very much!
    Tee Why wrote:
    I didn't know tortoises can tell humans apart, but I guess so.

    I really thought so at first by the way he'd hide when anyone else walked up, but I think he'll like anyone who will sit down and be still for a few minutes with some fresh fruit. No one else has really tried being patient and letting him do the approaching.
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2008
    I enjoyed the story and shots!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
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