Hurricane Irma is bearing down on us in south Florida and everyone is in preparation mode.
Oddly, despite having 'perfect' weather for red-footed tortoises (= hot, wet with afternoon showers) NONE of my adult red-foots have budged from their hides since Wednesday afternoon. They've ignored food and instead have been packed together inside of wooden shelters. In one hide there are three, in another two, and in another two. There are several similar wooden shelters with nobody in them.
Last evening just before dark one of my males ventured out for a little while before returning to the shelter and tucking himself between two much larger females.
It almost seems as if they are aware of the impending storm and are simply staying put in the safest places they know of.
Of course, we will bring them all inside this evening---but they don't know that.
Oddly, despite having 'perfect' weather for red-footed tortoises (= hot, wet with afternoon showers) NONE of my adult red-foots have budged from their hides since Wednesday afternoon. They've ignored food and instead have been packed together inside of wooden shelters. In one hide there are three, in another two, and in another two. There are several similar wooden shelters with nobody in them.
Last evening just before dark one of my males ventured out for a little while before returning to the shelter and tucking himself between two much larger females.
It almost seems as if they are aware of the impending storm and are simply staying put in the safest places they know of.
Of course, we will bring them all inside this evening---but they don't know that.