I found Morla on Tuesday of this week while hiking in a local state park. I was walking around the perimeter of a pond photographing wildlife, and hear a promising rustle in the tall grasses. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be not a turtle, frog, or snake, but a TORTOISE!
I have had a recent influx of strays and wildlife patients (I do both exotics rescue and wildlife rehab), so I was desperately hoping I was mistaking this obvious tortoise for some obscure tortoise-looking species I'd never heard of that lives in NY. No such luck. My fiance was very exhasperated when I made him come down and confirm that it was a sulcuta and that my denial didn't change that fact.
I'm not sure what I'd like to do with Morla yet. I'd love to keep her IF I move down south this year as planned. Ok "love to" isn't the best word - I'm nervous about what a difficult species this is to care for. But if I don't move, I think I'll find her a rescue, as I just don't think I'll be able to give her the care she needs in NY.
Here is Morla enjoying some time in my yard:
I have had a recent influx of strays and wildlife patients (I do both exotics rescue and wildlife rehab), so I was desperately hoping I was mistaking this obvious tortoise for some obscure tortoise-looking species I'd never heard of that lives in NY. No such luck. My fiance was very exhasperated when I made him come down and confirm that it was a sulcuta and that my denial didn't change that fact.
I'm not sure what I'd like to do with Morla yet. I'd love to keep her IF I move down south this year as planned. Ok "love to" isn't the best word - I'm nervous about what a difficult species this is to care for. But if I don't move, I think I'll find her a rescue, as I just don't think I'll be able to give her the care she needs in NY.
Here is Morla enjoying some time in my yard: