Great Plains Zoo Education Specialist, Becca Wannen, Sioux Falls, SD, presented two programs on the Maple Lawn Senior Care Center Campus on Monday afternoon. Her first was in the living room of Maple Lawn Senior Care and the second in the dining room of Mapleview Estates.
As she opened the educational programs, she talked a bit about the animals at the Great Plains Zoo and the care that they receive on a day-to-day basis.
From a cooler, she lifted out a box turtle name Rockie. Wannen explained that Rockie is 24 years old with a life expectancy of 50 years. She talked about the turtle’s outer shell and how, even though it is tough, the turtle can still feel pain through the shell. “The shell provides a refuge for the box turtle, as other animals cannot get into it. Rockie gets what we call ‘tortoise salads’ for food. She eats a large variety of greens, fruits and crickets,” Wannen said.
Each resident was encouraged to touch the turtle’s outer shell and ask questions about it.
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