Death from the sky....

[eric joranson]

out for a walk in the sun; Titan (the tortoise) was about 10 feet away when Ahab (the dog) gave a low growl and jumped in his direction. I never saw it coming; a hawk was swooping in to make a grab; and Ahab jumped in the way barking; scaring the predator off. Special treats for Ahab tonight! This is second approach from a bird of prey this week; first it was a turkey vulture; this time a cooper's hawk. I know you are supposed to separate your tortoises from your dogs....and I was closely watching the tortoise; but not the sky. But if dog had not been around; I can only think this would have turned out much differently.

 

[Greta16]

Good boy!

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

That was close!
Ahab should get steak tonight. A very good boy.
And a warning that wildlife thinks your tortie looks yummy.
On the alert, y'all.

 

[Big Charlie]

When Charlie was that size, I was blissfully unaware of the dangers from the sky. We used to take walks on our ranch. Other times I let him graze in an abandoned pigpen. I guess the trees kept the predators from seeing him. We were very, very lucky.

 

[PJay]

Atta boy Ahab! I had a white shepherd as a boy living on a ranch, he would trot just ahead of me and point out all the snakes near the path. Great dogs.

 

[WithLisa]

Don't you have a predator-proof enclosure for Titan?

 

[eric joranson]

Don't you have a predator-proof enclosure for Titan?

I do actually; but it's too big to move without help' and it was a sunny day; 80 F; and there was a field of clover I was letting him graze in under what I thought was my protection....but I never thought to look up; even after a turkey vulture making a close pass a few days earlier. (he was in enclosure that time; and was amazed that both times tortoise must have seen shadow or predator; but had pulled in as tight to his shell as he could. There are big snakes; raccoons; coyotes; fox; and even wild turkeys that I keeping an eye out for. Dog is really good about keeping those at bay as well.

 

[eric joranson]

That was close!
Ahab should get steak tonight. A very good boy.
And a warning that wildlife thinks your tortie looks yummy.
On the alert, y'all.

a steak with his name on it is in the fridge.

 

[Tom]

Cool story, but I thought I'd share a little info…

A turkey vulture won't touch live prey, even if it is a small, slow moving tortoise.

Cooper's Hawks are primarily bird predators, not that they wouldn't take advantage of a free meal, but it would have to be an awfully small tortoise to be picked up by a little Cooper's hawk.

I'd be more concerned with ravens or red tail hawks.

 

[Rachael403]

Cool story, but I thought I'd share a little info…

A turkey vulture won't touch live prey, even if it is a small, slow moving tortoise.

Cooper's Hawks are primarily bird predators, not that they wouldn't take advantage of a free meal, but it would have to be an awfully small tortoise to be picked up by a little Cooper's hawk.

I'd be more concerned with ravens or red tail hawks.

I had no idea, thanks for the info. Its interesting the things we learn on here.

 

[Stuart S.]

Lucky tort and good dog!

 

[eric joranson]

Cool story, but I thought I'd share a little info…

A turkey vulture won't touch live prey, even if it is a small, slow moving tortoise.

Cooper's Hawks are primarily bird predators, not that they wouldn't take advantage of a free meal, but it would have to be an awfully small tortoise to be picked up by a little Cooper's hawk.

I'd be more concerned with ravens or red tail hawks.

there are a pair of cooper's nesting about 100 yards from my back door; and watched them grab a fairly large western ring neck snake the other morning. As for the turkey vultures; I worked for several years in a Midwestern raptor rehab. We used to get the rats(frozen) to feed them from the genetic and other university labs. They had removed what they needed; and if not used for medication work; we would get what was left. The vultures grabbed and swallowed just a quickly as any full grown owl or larger hawk. And some of those rats weighed 300-500 grams. My tortoise is just at 210 grams. No I trust no raptors' especially in nesting season...they are meat hungry and opportunists. As for my dog; he loves to chase turkeys; and robins; so this was just another feathered ball flying in; and since I don't believe altruism exists in nature; I can say it was probably all just coincidental. But where is the fun in that? Go with the "lassie to the rescue" story every time. It's alot more magical. PS; no ravens but almost as big crows; and plenty of red tails;and sharp tailed hawks;great horned and barred owls; and to top the list bald eagles.

 

[Tom]

there are a pair of cooper's nesting about 100 yards from my back door; and watched them grab a fairly large western ring neck snake the other morning. As for the turkey vultures; I worked for several years in a Midwestern raptor rehab. We used to get the rats(frozen) to feed them from the genetic and other university labs. They had removed what they needed; and if not used for medication work; we would get what was left. The vultures grabbed and swallowed just a quickly as any full grown owl or larger hawk. And some of those rats weighed 300-500 grams. My tortoise is just at 210 grams. No I trust no raptors' especially in nesting season...they are meat hungry and opportunists. As for my dog; he loves to chase turkeys; and robins; so this was just another feathered ball flying in; and since I don't believe altruism exists in nature; I can say it was probably all just coincidental. But where is the fun in that? Go with the "lassie to the rescue" story every time. It's alot more magical. PS; no ravens but almost as big crows; and plenty of red tails;and sharp tailed hawks;great horned and barred owls; and to top the list bald eagles.

Great horned owls would eat a medieval dragon if given the chance! Those things are bad a$$. I'm terrified one is going to jump out and grab my hawk one day.

 

[Yvonne G]

There's a hawk here that screams almost all day long (but especially when I go outside), making me think there's a nest somewhere. I don't know what kind it is. I find mouse parts - tail end sections, heads, etc. - all over in the desert tortoise yard. I had been thinking a cat was leaving them there, but lately have wondered if the hawk has left them. But a hawk would be eating the whole mouse, yes? The desert tortoise yard (where the mouse parts are found) is right next to a utility pole where I've seen the hawk sitting occasionally.

out for a walk in the sun; Titan (the tortoise) was about 10 feet away when Ahab (the dog) gave a low growl and jumped in his direction. I never saw it coming; a hawk was swooping in to make a grab; and Ahab jumped in the way barking; scaring the predator off. Special treats for Ahab tonight! This is second approach from a bird of prey this week; first it was a turkey vulture; this time a cooper's hawk. I know you are supposed to separate your tortoises from your dogs....and I was closely watching the tortoise; but not the sky. But if dog had not been around; I can only think this would have turned out much differently.View attachment 206825 View attachment 206827

I have never worried about my tortoises and the hawks. I've always thought hawks were species specific eaters??? But I love your hawk/dog story. And what a pretty dog.

 

[wellington]

That's one good dog you have. Glad he was out with you and all is well. Don't forget to always take the dog.