Turtle Alert
"My wife called out a warning of 'Turtle alert!' as she looked out the kitchen window and noticed movement in our backyard. If I ignore her call due to my laziness or being engrossed in something unimportant like a video game, she will repeat the alert louder and more rapidly, sounding like 'turd alert.'
Upon investigating, we discovered a decent-sized terrapin turtle with burnt orange markings on its shell, wandering around our lawn in search of mushrooms, a delicacy it craves. Interestingly, rain seems to act as an aphrodisiac for our turtles, and they become more social during light rain. We have observed male terrapins defending their territory or reacting to a perceived theft of property, but rarely do they engage in fights. Larger turtles may run at smaller ones, who quickly move away in a different direction. On occasion, two large turtles engage in a staring contest, which can last for hours before a territory restructuring occurs.
Our backyard is home to various animals such as squirrels, rabbits, moles, red-tailed hawks, deer, raccoons, foxes, possums, owls, and the occasional wild turkey. However, we have a special fondness for our terrapin turtles and often exclaim "I see nature" when we catch a glimpse of them. They are a happy addition to our animal visitors and have a special place in our lives."