Look what I found during my morning garden rounds.
This little box turtle is from the 2011 brood that hatched in August. The 2010 brood had six babies hatch. When we found Scooter in August, I searched the pen a few times looking for any siblings. Baby box turtles survive their first three years by the curl up and cope method. Clearly they are great at hiding.
The older a box turtle is, the more eggs she lays. Clutches start out at two or three. Boxer is at least 14 years old. We thought there would be more babies in Scooter's clutch but figured that predators or the harsh summer took a toll.
Since this little guy hibernated through the winter all on his or her own, I think the name should be Lucky. However, my husband and son seem to remember a promise that the next turtle be named Gamera.
That's an awfully big name for such a little turtle. But a promise is a promise.
Welcome to the Garden of Good Intentions, Gamera.
The older a box turtle is, the more eggs she lays. Clutches start out at two or three. Boxer is at least 14 years old. We thought there would be more babies in Scooter's clutch but figured that predators or the harsh summer took a toll.
Since this little guy hibernated through the winter all on his or her own, I think the name should be Lucky. However, my husband and son seem to remember a promise that the next turtle be named Gamera.
Welcome to the Garden of Good Intentions, Gamera.
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