Page 13 - winter 2018 the Rock

Friends oF red rock canyon 13

By Sue & Roger Kolar

ed Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Rhas a wonderful educational resource: the Lucie is stretching out her legs
Tortoise Habitat! Our Rock Stars are world famous and neck to bask in the sun.
but sadly, little is known about them other than a few Desert tortoises need sunlight to
strengthen the calcium and kera-
mentions on Facebook. We’ll be changing that starting tin in their shells. They also need
in January. the heat from the sun to warm up
their bodies so they can properly
digest their food.
The tortoises are generally in brumation between
October to March, but just because they’re sleeping
doesn’t mean we can’t share their stories with our Red Basking
Rock Canyon guests. There will be a Rock Star display
in the Visitor Center Gallery available for your view- in the heat of your love.
ing pleasure and education through May 1.

We’re including information on the Habitat history,
brief bios of each of the Rock Stars (including when Libby, below, is enjoying the sun.
they appear from brumation) and some fun facts about Look for the tortoises near the brown
metal walls in the habitat. It’s a good
basking, brumation and their dietary habits. And, of place to warm up!
course, we’re including information about volunteer-
ing for the best job at the Rock. We couldn’t
adequately care for the tortoises without the dedication
of our volunteers.

Photos of the Rock Stars will try to approximate the
size of each tortoise, with the exception of Hugo, of Hugo is not playing Superman, he’s
getting warm!
course! We’ll be showing Hugo a little smaller than
real life.
Above: A copy of one of the educational panels that will be
We’ll begin feeding the tortoises around mid-March on display in the Visitor Center Gallery.
after they’ve had a chance to wake up and warm up a Below: Tort bios available in small, medium and large. We
don’t have room to show the extra large model.
bit. The next habitat training is scheduled for April in
case you want a refresher
or the chance to work knows the virtue of patience. Instead of rushing out came to Red Rock Canyon when the new Visitor Center and Tortoise Habitat reopened in
April 2010. He also happens to be the only Rock Star with a definite birth date: Max was
hatched in 1989 according to the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center. Max, the suave and
sophisticated man about town, enjoys interacting with his volunteer caregivers and also show-
with the Rock Stars. at the beginning of the breakfast shift (also known ing off for his adoring fans.
as Feeding Frenzy), she takes her time and waits
Max prefers to sleep in. He has been known to stay in brumation until the end of April while
for the perfect moment when the other girls leave
the other Rock Stars begin their awakening in late February to late March.
their dishes. Betty will casually walk up and begin
her leisurely dining. Be like Betty. Slow down and
appreciate your food.
is the youngest and smallest lady in
the Habitat. She weighs just 2
pounds and is about 4 years old.
Roxie moved to her new home in July
2017 and is making friends with all
the Habitat Volunteers and the older
and larger Rock Stars. She is also
very cute and very hard to locate due
to her small size.

Winter 2018