SIMONE MAY INTRODUCES HER BELOVED EASTERN LONG-NECKED TURTLE — KNOWN AS TURTS, SQUIRT OR CLOVER — WHOSE SLOW-MOTION ADVENTURES AND CURIOUS PERSONALITY MAKE EVERY DAY A LITTLE BRIGHTER.
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Tell us about your pet — name, breed, age and how they came into your life.
My daughter named my turtle Clover, but I prefer to call her Turts or Squirt. She responds to this, but also my partner has been calling her Clover, so I think she also responds to that.
Turts is an eastern long-necked turtle and she came about after one of my daughter’s begged me for a dog/cat.
Although I love dogs and cats, they require more direct care than I could afford to give at the time, so we agreed on a tiny little pet turtle.
We got her when she was six months old and now she is five years old.
How would you describe their personality?
Little squirt is very cute. When she is in her tank, she seems to crave attention by splashing her feet quite loudly as if to get our attention. She won’t stop until we take her out, (for a walk).
As soon as we put her on the floor, she slowly makes her way around to different parts of the house, often pausing for long periods to take in the view.
We often find her sitting by the window looking out, possibly looking for signs of danger.
She also stares up at the ceiling fans when they are on and often walks to our bedroom and sits by the bed for a while before returning back to the lounge.
She also seems to love getting in and under furniture or around the back of cabinets.
To do this, she often has to partially climb the architraves to get more vertical to fit through the gaps.
She has a naturally cautious and curious personality.
She will come up to us and climb on us or just stare and get close, as if she is asking for a pat on her shell.
My partner, whom I met recently, introduced his cute West Highland terrier, Gucci, into our lives.
At first we were all very wary of how they would interact, but now they seem to have a mutual respect for each other and they both move about the house and constantly interact.
On a few occasions, we have watched Clover climb up on to Gucci’s bed while Gucci is sleeping on it.
It’s quite amusing to see the reaction from Gucci.
What makes them special or unique?
We have had Turts since she was a baby hatchling. She was so tiny and cute and easy to care for. I feel like there is always something new with Turts, but in slow motion.
She comes ‘running’ to me at times when I call her.
How do they fit into your daily routine at home?
There’s not a lot of maintenance with having a pet turtle.
Mostly, she is in the tank and most nights after dinner she gets to walk around for an hour or more.
When my partner is around, he takes her out regularly and gives her plenty of terra firma time. It’s clear that she enjoys this time as much as being in her tank.
Do they have a favourite spot in the house?
Clover obviously loves her tank and you see that at night where she settles down underneath her rock platform. She kind of hovers/floats among the plants as if she is ready for sleep.
She loves to hang out in the kitchen, lounge and dining areas, she’ll often get in the way under our feet, much like Gucci does when food is being prepared.
Have you adapted your home in any way because of them?
I haven’t needed to adapt anything. We just have to make sure she can’t escape, (in slow motion) out the front or back doors.
What’s a typical day like for them?
During the week she remains in her tank until I return from work.
Often I will get her straight out and let her walk around the house.
On weekends she gets a bit more out of water time. My partner has spent time at my place during the week recently, so she has had lots more time out of water during work with him and Gucci.
What’s your favourite memory together?
I love how she comes and sits on my lap for a scratch and a cuddle. I do remember a time when there was a big electrical storm in Tat and she sat right against me to feel safe.
A funny memory is when she was learning to climb and she kept falling onto her back until she realised she could counterbalance with her neck.
What do you love most about having them as part of your family?
Turts, like most pets, seems to unconditionally love me and she shows this when I return home to her or get up in the morning.
She has created bonds with family and friends, although not everyone likes a turtle moving around them on the floor.
When I’ve been away for extended periods, I look forward to that feeling of arriving home to her and getting her out to have a walk around and scratching her shell
Why do you believe pets make a house feel more like a home?
Pets like Clover and Gucci make you look forward to coming home to be with them, to receive their love and to grow a special bond with them.
I love how they relax me and give me a sense of calmness.