Shellvin

Meet Shellvin.  Emphasis on the double "L".  We've had him since last fall, but since he hibernated for most of the winter we're really just getting to know him ourselves.  He recently suffered an identity crisis.  A well meaning neighbor informed us Shellvin was a Red Eared Slider turtle.  (We were under the impression he was a Box Turtle).  Anyway, Sliders are aquatic turtles and need a lot more special attention than a Box Turtle.  Our neighbor lent us her aquarium, filter, net, etc, and gave us a list of the special food and other items we would need.  

I was overwhelmed, we already have a dog and one more animal to take care of just seemed daunting.  I was on the verge of letting Shellvin "accidentally" escape back to the wild, but in a moment of weakness, decided to take advantage of our situation, and a requirement in Ben's scout book, and learn more about our turtle.

We hadn't been in the pet store 2 minutes when the clerk said, "Nice Box Turtle.  Where'd y'all find him?"  Sigh. Of. Relief.  I could politely give back all the stuff that would be necessary for a Red Eared Slider.  All a Box Turtle needs is a tub, a water dish, some cypress bark, and dog food or left over veggies.  All of which are very do-able at our house.

Shellvin's upgraded tub.
If he has to live on the front porch (the only place with sun and shade) then it needs to blend in at least a little bit.

Side note:  Yes, Ben got sunburned.  Yes, I feel like the worst mom ever.  

It's hard to see but his under shell is concave which means Shellvin was named correctly and doesn't need to be Shellvina.

I'm resigned.  With kids come pets.  At least it's not a snake.  I'll happily keep a pet that hibernates for half the year and eats our table scraps.  The boys are thrilled.   They just informed me that Box Turtles can live to be 100 years old.  Here's hoping Shellvin is already in his 90's.