I recently had the opportunity to speak
with a baby Logger turtle (in a swimming tank) and a Scarlet
Kingsnake who were in captivity at an animal rescue center in
Florida.
Kingsnake Conversation
My friend, Kelly, noted that the snake
was coming closer to the glass to look at us and wanted to know what
he was thinking.
Me: Are you curious about us?
Snake: No, I'm protective of us (there
was another snake in the glass encasement).
Me: Are you ever interested in us
humans?
Snake: It is always from a defensive stance of self-protection. Some worry is always involved around what humans might do to me and to my
companion.
Me: Do you know that we won't hurt you?
Snake: I get that you are saying that
but I'm still cautious.
The snake then retreated to where his companion was lying on a little tree.
Turtle Conversation
Me: How are you feeling in there?
Turtle: Bored
Me: Does anything relieve the
bordem-people looking at you, etc?
Turtle: It's a minor distraction for a
moment and them I'm bored again.
Me: Is it better that you are being
taken care of here then out where for some reason you could not be?
Turtle: I don't really care. I would
have been OK with not being placed in here. I don't think about it
that way ( the possibility of future events and death). If I weren't
alive, it would be OK, too.
*It still sometimes floors me how 'in the moment" the animals are. Their humility in regard to their own existence is ever so humbling.