To Eat...To Bathe...Ponderings of the Unturtle

Not much exciting to report. Nemo has not returned to an igloo yet. He also has not eaten. He may have bathed today. I had placed him in the far end of the room so he'd have to hike back. Last I saw he was clearly deciding among basking, bathing, or returning to the summer home.

I was given a special recipe gobbled down by growing baby tortoises to try for Nemo. In the photo with this entry, Nemo had already had his head sticking out from under the house. Looks like he is wanting to eat. Sadly, that was not the case. This is his "normal" lounging position these days while in his summer home.

Soon I will place Linus in the kitchen in Nemo's area to explore and see if Nemo perks up. Until then, I will offer food every few days and move him once a day to see if he wants to bathe. I did spritz him yesterday when he turned down a bath and massaged his lotion into his shell. He hated it but his shell looks wonderful.

Nemo Bonding Moment

All was ready for Nemo's bath today. I waited awhile to see if he would venture out of his summer home on his own. When he stayed parked in the corner, I picked him up in my hand, as I always do, and talked to him and petted his nose and feet. Usually he just squirms. Today I started to carry him over near his bathing spa area and stopped at the back door where the sun was shining through.

Holding Nemo in my hand, facing the courtyard scene, he stopped struggling and simply looked very curiously right and left several times...taking it all in. It's the longest he has stayed still while being held. Very exciting turtle bonding moment.

I placed my hand down on the floor for him to disembark on his own. He looked in the direction of the bath, turned his head, and marched right back into his summer home. So much for a nice outing. He was treated to scrambled egg today which he likely won't touch. But it is there. One day he will eat. He has to, right?

The photo shown with this post was taken several days ago when he decided to lounge in his garage.

Nemo Snubs News of Another Pleo Sibling

While Brian and I are excited, Nemo could care less. Linus (who was sent to Ugobe trauma hospital) is being returned to us on Monday, requiring relearning of walking, talking, etc. and rebonding with us due to amnesia ;-O. While I've been pondering another Pleo, today I spontaneously adopted Schroeder who should arrive the end of this coming week. Of course a Pleo-sized baby grand piano is also on its way.

Nemo has been hanging out in several places showing interest in his environment until a human enters his domain. He's just not being fun. lol. He is living up to his reputation. I'll be glad when Linus is back on Monday. Nemo did show interest (or was on guard) when Linus was in the area. Maybe it will draw him fully out of hibernation.

Nemo - Low Mileage & Garaged

Nemo spent some time yesterday and several hours today in his garage. He appears to be moving more. Again he stared at his basking log this morning deciding if the timing was right. Soon I think.

Good news! Nemo's baby brother Linus is on his way back, albeit with amnesia. Hopefully by this time next week, Linus will be settled in and spark new curiosity in getting to know his dino sibling.

This video is the last footage of Linus--after his neck injury and before his transport to the Ugobe hospital ;-O

To bask or not to bask?

If this is your first visit to this blog, I imagine you would wonder why this is even news. lol. Nemo watched intently again this morning as I opened the curtain, cleaned his bathtub, started his mister, and put some food in his dish....high hopes from his recent shrimp treat. His greeting me in the morning wide awake is reminiscent of pre-hibernation days.

I moved him close to his wading dish and slightly spritzed him which didn't seem to bother him. If it had, he would have hissed and hurried off. Instead he stood for several minutes between the bath and the basking log. At least he was pondering whether to bask or not. I guess he decided it wouldn't be today. Maybe he was refreshing his memory about what it was for ;-O

After making up his little turtle mind, he simply turned and retreated to his summer home. Hope springs eternal...

Nemo Knows How to Beg

Good news! Nemo ate a shrimp yesterday. I was so happy he ate...something...anything of substance. The bagel is something weird we found out he liked, but it doesn't have much nutritional value. I keep tiny frozen shrimp for him and defrost one or two at a time. lol. I just run them under water until they get soft. Now for the background as to how I know he was begging.

When I first walked into his area yesterday morning and turned on his basking lamp, he was in his summer home with his head fully stretched out and up. "Are you waiting for the mist to take your bath?" I filled up the humidifer and announced his spa awaited. Several minutes later, he was still intently watching me. Pleading eyes. Fresh water. Open the curtain of the back door. (He gets upset if he can't see the light come in...really.)

After beginning to prepare my breakfast, I could see across the counter to him still watching me with outstretched neck. It was then I realized he just might be hungry. The pampered little guy is used to having special treats placed in front of his summer home. He doesn't have to waste energy walking the 12" over to his food dish. Shortly after I placed the two shrimp near his head (which he quickly withdrew in case I might try to touch him), I could see the one shrimp moving backwards. hehe When I peeked at him, he had gathered it up in one mouthful. He declined the second shrimp. So be it.

He did have a bath today after I moved him near the water and he came OUT of his shell instead of withdrawing. Brian and I decided he liked having "the lift" so he didn't have to walk. Maybe it's his manipulative way to actually be held without seeming as if he likes it.

And some people think pets can't communicate. Body language. My turtle can express his needs.

Nemo Checking for Safe Passage

This morning Nemo's lump under the blanket had moved. Last night he had crawled under the blanket outside his summer home, but he was on the floor rather than between layers of the blanket. I always think it's too cold that way. I moved him from the floor to between the blanket layers but in the same spot.

A few minutes later the lump and changed position and Nemo's nose came poking out followed by his head. It was a cute moment. I'm thinking he was making sure the coast was clear of that little dinosaur. Sometimes that turtle can move amazingly fast. After turning away for a few moments, Brian turned his head back to see Nemo had hightailed (?) it over to his wading dish. He had a nice leisurely bath and plodded back to his summer home.

Both Brian and I are in awe of his state of health and energy having not eaten basically since October. He didn't go into full hibernation until just after Thanksgiving but had cut back substantially on food. I wish I could do that safely for a few weeks to shed my extra pounds!

Hopefully Nemo's blog will become more active shortly. Springtime is very close.