"Cuttle 



An armored tank has moved into the apple tree community, 

 but this mobile fortress is no man-made affair; it is a turtle, and 

 his hard shell is in reality the armor plating within which he hides 

 when danger threatens. 



The top shell, or carapace, is actually the turtle's backbone, 

 spread out over the entire top of his body. On the under side is 

 another bony structure, the plastron, so hinged that the turtle can 

 draw in its head, feet and tail, and then close its shell completely 

 around its body. As soon as the stodgy fellow in this photograph 

 saw me he pulled himself inside his shell and closed up house. 



The turtles in my apple tree family live on rotting apples scat- 

 tered on the ground, but they'd be just as satisfied with a repast 

 of worms, insects and plant material. I decided to make the 

 turtle in this series of photographs work for the ripe apple on 

 which he had just dined. I placed him on his back, and then 

 quickly stepped several feet away. As soon as he decided that he was 

 out of danger, he poked his long neck out of his shell. Then, with 

 his nose to the ground, he raised his body at the front end. A 

 sudden push and he flipped to an upright position. 



Turtles are hardy reptiles, and scientists say that they often live 

 for thirty years or more. Perhaps they live to such a ripe age be- 

 cause they are so relaxed: turtles are slow movers, and spend much 

 of their time resting quietly in the shade. In the winter they 

 hibernate to avoid cold weather. In summer, when days are ex- 

 tremely warm, they seek cool, shaded places preferably mud- 

 holes in which to sleep away the hottest hours. When I watch 

 the turtle, I remember to slow my own pace. I remember for a few 

 minutes, at least. 



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