Meet Fred The Miniature Hermit Diplodocus

Elissa babysits.....

[This bit was written back on 11th Dec 2011]

Our friend Caroline Woolias is moving overseas to Namibia for 12 months to be a volunteer teacher. We are looking after her two prize possessions while she is gone her piano and her long-necked turtle "Fred". Fred got here on Friday afternoon. On the way home I had to drop into the Post Office - there was a long queue so Fred came with me (in a bucket). Had some interesting conversations while waiting (from the outside of bucket they could see something crawling and they thought it was a big spider).

Friday night we set the tank up. On Saturday we went and bought him some live plants and some varieties of food - two frozen and 5 fresh fish. He is showing an interest in the fish but has yet to catch them. I keep explaining to the kids that we cannot become attached to the fish or name them as they will get eaten. If he doesn't eat them soon I may need to buy some fish food.

We have always wanted a pet turtle so now we have 12 months to see if we like it. If we do I think I know what next years Christmas Present is. So far he is very popular and he gets talked to by the kids (and any visitors) and quite a bit by the parents. Nephi has yet to show any interest.

[This bit was written on 11th Jan 2012]

Well, he's been with us a month now, and here are some updates.
Fred is slow. Too slow to catch fish. He's managed to catch 3 of the 5 over the last month, so yes, we have bought fish food, and we're now having to feed our "turtle food" as well as the turtle himself. Until a day or two ago, there were actually still 3 uneaten fish ... jokingly referred to as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The fourth fish was called Kenneth. The fifth fish never received a name, may it rest in peace.

He loves humans, and loves following you about when you walk by, but is scared of us when he's out of the water. If his heat lamp is on and we're not around he'll happily "sunbake" on his ledge, but if you come into the room, he'll suddenly dive into the water as soon as you turn away from him. Hmm - trust issues.
Nephi has only shown uinterest in the tank once - and recieved a darn good talking to from Elissa afterwards, such that we hope she won't jump up on it again.
Fred and the fish have mangled the plants.
He is incredibly bad at seeing and eating food dropped straight in front of him ... maybe he needs glasses?
And finally, from the right angle, he can make a great kaleidoscope.

In fact, in consideration of the above, I have determined that Fred isn't a turtle at all, he's actually a myopic miniature hermit diplodocus that has taken up residence in a turtle's shell.