Getting accustomed

Recently, there has been some interesting happenings between my terrapins & I. Let me begin with the positive aspects first.

(1) Both terrapins have started eating. In fact, they have gone past the stage of starting to eat. They have begun to snatch, scratch, push & grab for their food! Their appetites have grown quite a bit too, each eating up to 5 - 6 turtle sticks a day. I hope they are not over-fed...

(2) Both have adjusted very well to their somewhat aquatic environment. To further emphasize this, let me also say that despite changing the water, these green shellbacks get quickly accustomed to their environment the second they are put back into the tank! Very good... very good... *Applause*.

(3) Both have begun developing a bond between themselves. In fact, just two nights ago, they slept one on top of the other! How they can balance & don't fall, I really have no idea. But that's not really the issue. The point is that they are now comfortable with each other. In the past, they used to swim at different corners of the tank, as well as one sleeping on the wood & the other sleeping underwater. So, this is so much of an improvement! Hurray!

As for the negative side of this matter, well...

(1) Both have grown into rather hungry terrapins. In fact, they seemed to have mis-interpreted my hand signals & perceive it as an indication of their feeding time! Oh dear... I initially intended it to be an action to help them recognise their owner (i.e. me), but now it seemed to have turned otherwise. Now when I wave at them, these shellbacks will pop their heads out of the water in search of food, from where my hand is placed. Does that mean that they care more about food than the establishing a bond between owner & pet? Or should I regard this as just an incomprehensible 'gap' of understanding for these terrapins?

(2) Terry's claws are beginning to grow long & sharp! When I carry him now, sometimes it may hurt a little when his claws dig into my skin. But so far still alright, I'm getting used to it. Just that I fear how these little fellas would behave when they grow larger. Would their claws poke my palm or fingers?

Well, these are some of the observations that I have noticed within the past 2 - 3 days. In fact, I'm glad that my terrapins get accustomed rather quickly. Thinking about it, one thing that may give me satisfaction from keeping them, as compared to fishes is this - terrapins bother to look at me & observe me, just as I observe them. In short, at least these kept pets bother to pay some attention to me! Fishes, on the other hand, just swim around & literally only eat. They don't even bother about their owner at all, unless they sense danger.

Thus, I feel that rearing terrapins give me more satisfaction than keeping fishes. My terrapins are kind of 'cute' sometimes... they would let me rub their heads, occasionally their chin & even their forelegs. I scrub their shells every few days too, to prevent algae from growing on it, possibly causing diseases. I still like the way they peer out of the water & look at me. Or they would cling onto the wood with just a few claws & look around. They are just naturally born bodyguards! Even in a kept tank, they are so alert... good for them, in case they are eventually let loose in the wild.

Rebecca's finger got bitten by one of her terrapin this week, but she said that there is no blood. Just a slight pinch. Mine hasn't bitten me yet... YET... but I certainly hope they never do. Lesson to learn? Feed them before displaying affection to them. My terrapins are well fed, no doubt about that. That's one point down... =)

Tomorrow's Saturday! Maybe I'll drop them some meat for their breakfast tomorrow. I did that last Saturday too. Dropped them a few crumbs of minced meat from my noodles. Boy, do they enjoy chewing on it! Wow! Let's see what treat I shall have for them tomorrow... Wait in anticipation, my 'turtles'!