Do you know that Anita Purves Nature Center (APNC) has several animals for people to see and learn from? Here is a breakdown of the nature center's resident turtles who are waiting to see you!
Bashful – Bashful arrived at APNC in 2010. She lives up to her name by being a little shy, tucking into her shell at programs before coming out to see people. One of her favorite seasonal treats is pumpkin!
Carl – Carl is one of our male turtles, donated to APNC in 2016, after living as a pet for fifteen years. He is a three-toed box turtle, and despite being smaller than the rest of the turtles, he is an adult. He’s at least 28 years old! Carl is the shyest of the turtles, and likes to hide under things, or even people!
Dopey – Dopey is our other male turtle, and he’s been at APNC the longest of our turtles, since 2008! Dopey loves to wander around and is a frequent winner of turtle races! He will trample anyone or anything in his way.
Lucky – Lucky is our most social turtle and has been at APNC since 2017. Lucky was struck by a car in 2010 and was taken in by a passerby. She healed naturally, leaving recognizable scarring on her shell, but luckily, she has no pain anymore! Lucky has two favorite treats: bananas, and worms. All of our turtles love worms, but none more than Lucky, who will try to bully the other turtles for their worms. She also loves berries.
Speedy – Speedy is our largest turtle, weighing a pound and a half, and the largest animal (by weight) at APNC! Speedy is 32 years old and has been at APNC since 2012/2013. Speedy is an amputee, missing her back right limb after an animal attack before she came to APNC. Despite this, she lives up to her name, being quite fast for a box turtle, and also frequently winning races!
Call the nature center at (217) 384-4062 for more information about the turtles and all of our animals. The turtles are waiting for you!
