12 armoured animals
from prehistoric times
move into Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf
A great enclosure for turtles was built in no time at all: The turtles spend the spring, summer and autumnin the newly designed outdoor enclosure. Vbefore winter, the tortoises change their feeding behaviour of their own accord, are examined by a vet and weighed again, bedded in boxes with soil, bark mulch, sand mixture and leaves and spend 3 – 4 months in a “refrigerator“.
First of all, the beautiful animals will enjoy the summer. A weatherproof house, stone bridges filled with hay, etc. have been provided in the outdoor enclosure for this purpose. For the well-being of the tortoises in extreme heat,a sprinkler systemmoistens the outdoor enclosure, especially in the morning.
We would like to introduce four
of our new protégés:
Chelone, Bruno, Tito and Leo
Chelone is a Greek tortoise and is now 12 years old. The owner’s changed circumstances have made it absolutely necessary to give up her beloved Chelone. The separation from Chelonewas very difficult for the animal-loving lady, but a species-appropriate place and conspecifics should make Chelone’s life exciting and safe. This is how Chelone at the end of May last year, at a time when the turtles are becoming active again.
Chelones sounding name has a special meaning and comes from Greek mythology. Hermes descended to earth one day, threw Chelone (male in mythology) with his house into a riverand turned him into a turtle, which would always carry its flat on its back and thus be condemned to eternal silence. “Khelône” means “tortoise” in Greek, and at some point became a symbolof silence.
Keeping the light-hungry tortoises in a sunny outdoor enclosure is essential. The high The animals only reach an age of 80 years if they are kept in a species-appropriate environment.
Bruno is already 35 years old, and is a Moorish tortoise. As his Owner passed away, leaving behind Bruno and many cats.Moorish tortoises tend to be solitary animals, preferring to feed on plants,insects and also snails.
Leo (female Greek tortoise, 28 years old) and Tito (male Greek tortoise, over 24 years old) were a gift from a grandmother to her grandchildren around 27 years ago. Living conditions changed, the housing situation no longer allowed the tortoises to be kept in a species-appropriate way, and so Leo and Tito were taken in at Gut Aiderbichl around two years ago.
Turtles memorise voices and names
Schildkröten sind geduldige Tiere. They are quiet, relatively frugal and by no means boring. They recognise their owner. They understand exactly who means well and who doesn’t. And they can also learn to listen to their name.This brings us full circle: animals, including turtles, have a soul and feelings, and they memorise voices and their name.
Anyone who works with love and insight has a kind of armour against people's opinions precisely because of their sincere love of nature and art. Nature is also strict and to a certain extent harsh, but it never deceives and always helps us to move forward.
~ Vincent van Gogh
