Dear Members and Friends:

Our Summer meeting will be held on Saturday, July 21 from 1:30 until 4 at the Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, 95822. There will be plenty to talk about including the upcoming TURTLERAMA on August 18th. We had about 1,000 visitors last year and it could top that this year due to the exposure on the Internet. PLEASE let me know if you are able to exhibit or help that day by phoning, emailing or signing up at the meeting and even notifying me on Facebook will be fine. I'll take care of all of the promotional material. The folks at Good Day Sacramento may be able to show some of it since they are now on from 7-11 am on weekends. We need as many turtles and tortoises as possible and more than one display of the same species is fine since there is such a huge crowd. We also need people to relieve the exhibitors now and then and also to keep things cleaned up. It's our only chance each year to reach out to the public and show them the right way to keep turtles and tortoises and dispel all of the nonsense they read 'on the Internet'. We can't give up the fight!! Thank you all for hanging in there with me. IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT!

We had a great turnout for our spring meeting, about 80 good turtle people were counted. (Some not so good left crumbs all over the floor).....thanks for those who help set up and break down the tables and chairs. I know it's a pain......we had great turtle talk and a fabulous raffle.

I'm sure the weather for our July 21st meeting will be hot and sunny so let's make it a LUAU themed event. Dress in bright colors. The club will supply the leis and cool drinks and snacks. Bring one or more of your turtles and/or tortoises for a good show and tell. This is the best time of the year. Our pets are at their healthiest. The runny noses are gone. So are the swollen eyelids. The lethargy. We'll discuss the incubation of eggs more thoroughly. I know what works for me, let's hear what works for you. We'll try to have some eggs on the raffle table too. Some of you have shown me the box turtles you hatched from those eggs years ago and they are so big and healthy. Which brings to mind, if you have any turtle items you'd like to donate to our sale or raffle, it will be appreciated. Club member Elaine from Hawaii just sent me a box full of beautiful items. You won't believe your eyes!!

SEE YOU AT THE MEETING!!

SUMMER HINTS

I love summertime. Our pets are so happy and active. Even though you are very busy keeping up with them and cleaning up after them, try to take the time to sit and observe and enjoy their antics. And while you are watching them, be alert for any bumps on the neck or elsewhere or anything that doesn't look 'quite right'. It's always better to catch things immediately. Is anyone limping? They get into all sorts of trouble fighting and climbing where they shouldn't be going in the first place. Bermuda grass is dangerous when the long strings develop. Since turtles and tortoises don't seem to know how to go in reverse, they just plunge ahead even if a string of bermuda is wrapped around their limbs or even their head and neck. They can strangle themselves. Also, sometimes male box turtles fight and injure one another in their neck area, however, you can't really see any damage unless the turtle sticks his head out which they rarely do with an injury. And these sores can be invaded by those darned maggots, so always try to check the box turtles carefully, especially when you see fighting and aggressive mating going on. There's much more to cover but I'm running out of room. We can continue at the meeting!

Same old stuff going on here: The Greek male tortoises relentlessly chasing the females and even other males and squeaking loudly as they stand up behind them with their mouths wide open. It is pathetic and comical because they are usually not standing up behind their mates, but any tortoise who happens to be passing by. The victims usually stand still waiting for the encounter to be over so they can get a bite to eat or find a cozy shelter in which to take an afternoon nap. I call these "rude interruptions".

The deluge of red eared sliders continues but there are very generous people who have given them new homes in large ponds on their private property. It amazes me how long people keep them in aquariums and deal with the mess and smell. It's bad enough when they are outside in the kiddie wading pools which turn totally green in the hot sun very quickly. And then the uneaten food clouds the water as well. Let's face it, water turtles are not easy to care for, indoors or out. It seems a bit cruel to keep a wild animal in a glass prison just for one's amusement. How many of you 'used' to have one in an aquarium and it died? Yes, my hand is raised. And I had more than one!! I hope I am making up for my ignorance now.

A lot of Russian tortoises have come in for adoption. I think people buy them but don't realize what escape artists they can be, digging and climbing are their specialties! If they can see to the other side of the yard, they will go to great lengths to get out. And this pretty much applies to most turtles and tortoises. The grass is always greener on the other side!!

I've been turtle sitting one of our club member's pets for several weeks and it certainly is a learning experience. There are 4 beautiful spotted turtles, two males and two females, and they seem quite content here although, every night I carry them to the safety of my screened in patio for safekeeping in case we get a night 'visitor'. So far so good. There are also 3 baby marginated tortoises, very sweet and pretty and eating well, also on the screened patio at night. But the 5 South American wood turtles are in the greenhouse in their huge bin which is filled with dirt and a water dish. They seem to like the heat in there and believe me, it is extra hot at this writing due to the heat wave (105 right now). I keep checking on them and they seem to stay under the dirt most of the time, only coming out to eat if nobody is around. I respect their privacy and I'm happy that they are in the greenhouse so that I don't have to carry them in and out twice a day. My nighttime ritual is very tiring. But everyone has to be in their shelters overnight and I've also made the doorways to the doghouses smaller so only the turtles fit through. Your ideas are always welcome.

Regarding predators, everyone must always be on the alert. And don't give your turtles meat. I think meat (especially hamburger meat) attracts them because what goes in, comes out, if you know what I mean. I use ZuPreem's Monkey Biscuits (Primate Diet #6985) and that has kept everyone healthy for many many years. I did use soaked dog food long ago, if you remember, but that also smelled, was oily, and attracted tons of ants. But the Monkey Biscuits seem very pleasant and nutritious. Water turtles, tortoises and box turtles all eat it but I don't feed it every day. Twice a week is enough, I feel. I soak it until soft before serving and it smells good and has nice texture. A feed store like Wild West in West Sacramento might carry it by the pound or you could buy the 20 pound bag. It lasts a long time and does not get 'buggy'. Enjoy the summer months, everyone!!