Page 14 - spring 2015 magazine FINAL

By

“The Tort Tattler” by Sue and Roger Kolar

Several of the female tortoises came out of their digest food, so we don’t plan to feed them until the end
burrows the first week in February. Betty was the most of March - Sorry Hugo. Thanks to the Landscaping
active; after spending Team, a variety of tasty cacti have been planted in all of
all winter with five the habitats. The torts love cacti and wildflowers and
of her closest friends, will eat the plants down to the roots as soon as they are
she moved across the warm enough. As we’re writing this, Red Rock is cov-
entire habitat to find ered in snow, so it may take a while for the torts to get

an empty burrow. Photo by Sue Kolar warm.
She has been watch- There have been
ing the visitors and some changes in the
even nibbled on Betty is on the move habitat. Hugo’s habitat
some red brome. Maxine lumbered over to the closest is the most improved
wall and tried to warm up. She’s been moving in slow with two new barrel
motion. In her burrows and two rocks
defense, that are large enough

smaller tor- for volunteers to sit on.
toises do The torts will be more Photo by Sue Kolar
warm up fast-
active as the weather
Photo by Sue Kolar er. So that’s warms up, so come on Hugo waits in vain for volunteers
why Betty,
out and say “Hi!” The
to bring him kale and kibble.
who weighs
best time to see the torts
eight pounds,
Maxine is looking for a warm spot in at a puny is on feeding days, Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Also the torts get soaked on Monday mornings. One
appears to have more energy than Maxine, who is a week we’ll soak Max and the girls, and the next week
svelte 16 pounds 11 ounces! we soak Hugo. After soaking, the torts are very active.

Hugo made a brief appearance on February 9, didn’t In 2014, forty-six volunteers spent more than 1,100
see any kale and predicted six more weeks of winter! hours taking care of the torts. We really appreciate all
Actually the tortoises have to warm up before they can of their help and know the torts do too.

Join Us on the Tort Team.

The best volunteer job at the Rock!
If you’d like to join the Tort Team, or just need a refresher, the summer training sessions schedule is:
Wednesday, June 3 Saturday, June 6
You only need to attend one session for this great job.

Each session consists of about an hour of classroom training by Carla Wise, Bureau of Land Management Wildlife
Biologist, followed by hands-on training in the tortoise habitat.
Contact Sue and Roger Kolar at torts@friendsofredrockcanyon.org for more information.
Page 14