New arrivals

Yesterday saw the arrival at the CFZ of its two newest inhabitants. Our good friend, Beth - who single-handedly runs an animal sanctuary near us - brought round two common map turtles (Graptemys geographica). They are around 4 years old, the biggest being the female. Beth had been given them from someone locally who had had them since they were young, but could not look after them any more. At present they are in a large tank in our conversatory and it is hoped that we will have success in our fundraising in order that we can construct a dedicated turtle pool here at CFZ headquarters in the very near future for our growing collection.

Above is Beth setting up the tank in readiness for its new occupants.

They both have the most beautiful markings and it is all too obvious as to why they are called map turtles. I am not sure what we are going to call them yet, but I rather fancy Njord and Nerthus (Norse God and Goddess of the oceans and rivers).

The female is on the left and the male is on the right:

As you can see below, after their short journey the turtles appear to be perfectly at home in their new surroundings: