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Newsletter - Chapter 5

Autumn 2009

Index
New Comers
Saying Goodbye
Funky Facts
Jungle Jokes
Summary Letter

New Comers

Harry, Barry and Tod
These 3 terrapins came to the animal sanctuary as unwanted pets. They are very big and beautiful, and can nip very hard! When they were in their carry case, Barry managed to scale the wall, sneak past two Chihuahuas and into the corner of the room without being noticed!

Toto & Hermy
Toto and Hermy are two slightly grumpy male Herman’s tortoises. They were being housed in a vivarium together but they were very aggressive towards each other so have been separated. Even though they don’t like each other they love being handled!

Toto

Hermy

Squidgey
Squidgey was brought to the animal sanctuary after being found in a road. He is a Horsefield’s Tortoise, and still has his egg tooth at 4 years old! He is very sweet and we hope to put him in with another tortoise when out of quarantine at the beginning of January!

Squidgey

Saying Goodbye

Gemima
Gemima was a Toga Starburst tarantula. She had wonderful markings, but a vicious temperament. Unfortunately, she died of old age. As one of the more unusual (not to mention dangerous) animals at the sanctuary, she will be missed greatly by the more unstable members of our staff.

Rainbow
When we finished moving the animals over from the old animal sanctuary to the new one we lost Rainbow one of our chameleons. Chameleons get stressed out very easily and we think the cause of his death may have been due to both the stress of the move and catching cold when carrying him outside. He was never a friendly little chap, but the loss touched us all.

Funky Facts

- A snake’s scales are made of Keratin, that’s the same stuff as your nails, teeth and hair!

- The man of war jellyfish isn’t actually a jellyfish it’s a collection of 4 different organisms living together in harmony!

- Insectivorous bats use eco location to find out what is around them as their eyesight is very poor.

- Mother pigs sing to their piglets while they are nursing.

- Pigs outsmart each other. One will often follow another pig to food before grabbing it away from him, and the pig who was tricked will change its behaviour to reduce how many times it is tricked.

Jungle Jokes

- How do snails get their shells so shiny?

They use snail varnish!

- What games do ants play with elephants?

Squash!

- What does a caterpillar do on New Years Day?

Turns over a new leaf!

Summary Letter

Hello!

This autumn we have finally completed our Jungle Room. This means most of the reptiles are housed in one heated area saving electricity and the environment! All the animals in the Jungle Room have had their enclosures updated, with added enrichment and are thriving in this wonderfully warm room ready for the cold winter months!

Natterjack and Snowy the chipmunks have gone underground, remaining dormant for extended periods of time. During the beginning of October they were collecting their food, and building stores in the tunnels they share with the rabbits. At the end of the month they went under ground, occasionally coming up if they run out of food! While not true hibernation (as they wake up every so often), they will probably not emerge for very long until the springtime!

Thanks for reading this autumn’s “Tales From The Fortress”, and just like the chipmunks we will be back in the spring!

Toodle pip!

Jamie and Lucie :)