Nemo Goes From Grumpy to Comfy

One area where Nemo is very turtle (although many humans fall into this category) is he detests when you move his stuff around. Turtles are very sensory and learn their territories by sight and smell and touch. It disorients them if something is moved. I did rearrange some of his area to better accommodate for chiller weather. He was mad at me for a day. He pouted the next day but poked his head out when I was around. Yesterday was wine rack jungle gym time so he was getting over that change. Today he found a comfy place to lounge at the base of the wrought iron table used as an attractive place to clamp his basking lamp.

If you have seen Cirque du Soleil Nemo balanced on the wrought iron curly cue base, the green blanket in the photo is a cushion for those things. He does like to perch himself on those...heaven only knows why.

Low Shell Clearance

The wine rack and Nemo's hay and greens feeding area.

Nemo determined to fit through one of the bottle openings:

Look at that foot shoving off under Iggy's foot.

Pushing off Iggy might be better leverage.

Determination from both sides before exiting left over the stuffed animal turtle which is the side entrance with plenty of clearance.

Nemo typically does this when he comes to any enclosure. "The grass is always greener..." must be his motto. After taking the photos, I wanted to make sure he was not in distress. I tapped my fingers to the left making a clicking sound I use for his attention. He reluctantly gave up going through the bottle opening and practically jumped over the turtle to exit. He knew exactly how to get out! And was probably annoyed I ruined his fun. Silly me.

Nemo As Focused Goalie

Nemo's expressions are priceless. He sure looks like he's determined to make sure no one enters HIS space! Also reminded me of a goalie preparing for that puck to coming flying from any direction or watching that soccer team run down the field and the goalie knows "I gotta stop that ball!" Nemo is ready. Wonder if they make little iceskates or goalie padding for turtles?

Nemo - Before & After

Brian and I were looking at Nemo photos on his new 22" high def computer monitor today. We were noticing the incredible detail in his shell (that would be Nemo's shell). And how gorgeous his shell looks. I recalled that his shell had been dull and cracking a bit when I first got him. I don't think I found the "turtle wax" until about six weeks ago online. I've been using it once a week. In one of the earliest photos of Nemo (below) you can see how dull his shell was and especially dry around the bottom rim. You can also see his body language! Yikes. Poor little guy was scared and unsure about everything. But look at him now. Just scrolling through the blog you can see how comfortable he is and happy. I'm glad he adjusted so incredibly well and is so healthy.

For those with pet turtles who are interested, this is an unsolicited endorsement of Turtle VitaShell (shell and skin conditioner). He doesn't like it when I massage it in but I make a big deal out of praising him and saying things like, "Oooh, doesn't that feel sooo good?" Like it makes a difference. lol. We'll just call it tough love.

Poor scared, dull-shelled Nemo:

Nite Nite Nemo

The quality of this photo is not the greatest. I was up in the wee hours of the morning and could barely see Nemo in the corner. I didn't want to turn the light on and wake him. I took the picture with flash and then used about every touchup filter to make his snuggledness visible. He is so relaxed. Love his left arm tucked backwards and how he is under the blanket so just his shell is covered with his little leggies sprawled out the back. Shhhh, he's sleeping.

Posing Pretty For The Camera

Nemo has trained Brian and I to get down on our stomachs on the floor to take his picture. I think he's thinking "good human" whenever we do that. He certainly isn't camera shy. Looks like a dog show pose. Head up and arched pretty for the camera. Look how innocent he looks in this!

Nemo has occasionally been seen meandering a certain path from the kitchen into the living room, around the chair and ottoman, and back into the kitchen. I was up about 4:30 am today. He came out of his cozy blanketed sleeping spot to look at me. He even came over to my area of the room which scared me. Thought I saw a huge spider at first. lol. I went into the living room to look at computer a few minutes before returning to bed. I happened to notice him coming around the corner from the ottoman.

He was trying to be nonchalant about actually seeing me. Of course he wouldn't be in the room just because I was there! It's fun to watch him become more comfortable in getting closer to Brian and me...but not too close. It will be on his terms. I guess we do laps around the kitchen and the living room now.

Too Tired To Climb?

I turned on Nemo's basking light a bit earlier than usual this morning--5 a.m. The next time I entered the room he was posed in this position. He was not climbing the log. He was simply in this position for about half an hour. Fell asleep climbing? Although his expression tells me to just leave him alone, thank you very much. For whatever reason, this was comfortable to him. Silly turtle.