Zookeepers get asked a lot of questions. It’s part of the job, and honestly one of my favorite things.
Yesterday morning I was bent over unclogging a tube in the bog turtle rearing exhibit. I heard a family approach the fence, and the mom began reading the graphics aloud to her young son.
“Looking into this exhibit, you may be looking into the future of bog turtle conservation…”
The little boy looked at me through the peeking window and said “Are you real?”
I assured him that I was. His eyes got huge as he took the words on the graphics to heart.
“Are you from the future?”
If Santa can break the space/time continuum, why couldn’t a zookeeper? We are made of magic and cat hair.
My forefinger. Check out that expression! the eyes look white, but that’s because the pupils are contracted. At night, they dilate, and those eyes are solid black!
It’s National Zookeeper Appreciation Week. Have you hugged a keeper yet?
Becoming Cliche 
Wonderful – and how great to be among all those different species (humans included)
It really is great! I love my job!
Charming!
Hahaha!
PS: I want that little guy on my finger. Right. Now.
PPS: Last week, after years of lusting after them from afar, I got to touch my first painted turtle in the wild. He was glorious. And peed lavishly.
Turtles and tortoises have the most amazing bladder capacity. I can’t get accurate weights on some of the bigger ones because they pee so freely.
Road trips would go so much smoother if I had the capacity of a tortoise. And didn’t like coffee so much.
I know it’s borderline naughty, but I had to pick up Mr. Painted. I was careful, grasped him gently at shell and tummy, and felt the weight of him (not sure, but his shell length was approx eight inches). I let him push those little dinosaur feet against my thumb–what a strong dude! I set him back down a few feet farther along in the direction he was going, far enough to be out of sight of the trail.
Highlight of my frickin’ year.
I know what you mean. I’ve got a long road trip in September, and I drink a LOT of water!
It’s not really wrong to catch a reptile as long as you are careful, which you were. Their feet are the best part. Turtle feet are amazing!
I will never forget those feet. New goal: baby turtle feet. And more lizards. Handling lizards carries a degree of personal victory after the chase.
Just found this coolness about turtles: http://mentalfloss.com/article/83476/why-turtles-have-shells-its-not-what-we-thought
I read this, too!
You have excellent taste.
Great question. So what did you tell him? :-J
His mom told him no. *shakes head*
Can I send you a (virtual) hug?
I mean, do they still HAVE hugs in the future you’re from?
They do have hugs, but it’s more of something you do with your eyes because no one is allowed to touch anyone in the future.
Wise choice, I’m sure!
People are radioactive in the future. It’s best not to set off a reaction.
You made my morning with this story. I can understand his awe of you. In appreciation — (((HUGS))) or my favorite virtual hug http://belowthesaltnews.com/arts-media/the-art-of-the-virtual-viral-smudgy-hug/
That’s the best! Even though I’m pretty sure she got lipstick on the inside of my screen.
The little boy made my morning, too. He so fully believed in magic. It made me happy!
Happy National Zookeeper week!
Thanks so much!
That’s so sweet! I’ve always told you that you have the best job ever! 🙂
At least he did not ask you if you were from the past.
Pingback: Must Share Twitter Animal Tales - Part I | Below The Salt News