New Appreciation for Slow and Toothless Creatures

Our trip to The Grove in Glenview was an eye-opener to the world of reptiles that live just beyond our back door in the forest preserves that border our village.

We saw staff wrangling over 20 water snakes into their new habitat. Even the snake handlers warned that these are nasty snakes that will bite if given the chance, so I was glad they were living behind a glass wall. 

I looked back at the turtle pond and found a new appreciation for these slow moving, quiet and toothless creatures.

I asked around and did some research about turtle care. It turns out that besides providing an ample tank, light, shade, water and feeding every few days, these little (and some not so little) guys are pretty happy just hanging around.

I won't try to give a lesson in Turtle Care 101 since I have never owned one and am still trying to figure out the difference between a tortoise and a turtle. So I went to my daughter's first grade turtle and asked Paul Connelly at some questions about his turtle, Bob.

Mr. Connelly met Bob during his first year of teaching 18 years ago. Bob has only slowed down a little bit over the years, he said.

Connelly uses the turtle to teach his students responsibility, patience and empathy.

The first week of classes he introduces them to Bob. Having only one eye, the children ask questions and start to learn that we are all different in many ways, but that we are all the same inside. They accept Bob for who he is and learn to accept each other as well.

Bob also teaches responsibility by providing the students with a job. The "zoo keeper" must take care of Bob for the week. This also encourages the children to bring healthy snacks so they may have a turn sharing with the class turtle.

The students are always careful to wash their hands after handling Bob; turtles may carry salmonella and so this is a precaution everyone should use when handling these creatures.*

These are all strong arguments for getting a turtle and teaching my son about these important lessons. We still need to do some volunteering with real turtles and a lot more reading at the library.

For more information about turtle rescue near Chicago, you can e-mail Reptile Rescue at michiganreptilerescue@gmail.com or call them at 989-493-2429.

*Correction: We added an additional sentence about the need to wash your hands when dealing with turtles.