Creatures abound in the Emporium, and I hope you find them educational and fun! This post details how the blog is set up, since there are some returning cast and I have a Disclaimer. We'll start with that.
Disclaimer
I am employed as a Naturalist and have had many years of experience handling animals as well as ID. On occasion I may post photos of me handling wildlife - this is only done when necessary and only when I know how to properly handle that animal. I do not recommend anyone who does not have that experience handle wildlife. Admire only with the eyes whenever possible!
That being said, if I do make an ID mistake, or could be handling an animal better, wild or otherwise, feel free to let me know in a constructive way.
If you start picking a fight about animal cruelty, you will be blocked immediately
Oh and don't repost my photos either, they are mine.
Blog organization, tags, and recurring cast below the cut.
What I post
There are a couple categories of creaturepost out there, all tagged accordingly.
Wildlife
Includes wild animals, fungi, and maybe some plants. Emphasis on fungi. Any wild creature will be tagged #wildlife.
Environmental Information
I couldn't be the person I am and not talk about this to a degree. Anything of this sort will be tagged #environmental education.
Coworkers
"Coworkers" refers to the captive animals I work with at my job or volunteering. There are a lot of them, and they will make repeat appearances. So I will list them out for you at painstaking length! And yes, they will be tagged #coworkers.
Current Naturalist Job Coworkers
(animals are not allowed to have "real names" due to management. Boo.)
Painted - a Painted Turtle. She has three emotions: excitement, terror, and rage.
Leuc - a leucistic Red-eared Slider. A little shy, bit of a biter. Getting better.
Red - a Red-eared Slider. Chill and underrated. Big girl.
Musk - a Musk Turtle. Fleshy little guy.
Spotted - a Spotted Turtle. Likes to nap and stand on his hind legs in the water like a man.
Deeby - a Diamondback Terrapin (DBT). Very friendly and extremely excited about food. Eye Contact.
Cooter - an Eastern River Cooter. Huge guy. Patient man. King of naps.
Mud - an Eastern Mud Turtle. Eye Contact. God's pickiest little soldier.
BTM - an Eastern Box Turtle. He is 105 and very active. Doesn't look a day over 78.
Wood - a Wood Turtle. Loves biting pants and getting amorous with a rock.
BTF - an Eastern Box Turtle. A mess. We call her crustmuffin.
CSF - a Corn Snake. Beautiful and she knows it. Very inquisitive. Has passed away since making this blog.
Eastern - an Eastern Rat Snake. More wary of people. Loves a good climb.
On occasion I work with the birds of prey, and I will add them if I start posting about them.
Dolphin Volunteering
I do volunteer with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, but I cannot post pictures to social media, only talk about it. I will also not use their full names, since they can be googled.
C - the matriarch of the group. Everyone wants to hang out with her. Sweet overall.
S - playful, attached to C at the vestigial hip. She loves toys, and can be a little brat about it.
By - the baby of the group, C's daughter. Energetic and vocal, looooves praise. The most likely to hang out with J.
J - spends most time alone, swimming at a brisk pace like she's on a jog. Athletic and enjoys trainers' attentions - a people's dolphin rather than a dolphin's dolphin.
B - dominant male of the two boys. You wouldn't know it though - he spends all of his time chilling and watching everyone else do stuff.
F - the younger male. Energetic and markedly horny. OBSESSED C and trails after her even as she ignores him.
Anything not in these categories will be tagged #not a creature. I hope you find what you're looking for in the Creaturepost Emporium!
Opening your heart to animals really does leave you vulnerable to a unique kind of hurt. However, I don't think I could exist any other way. Water running downhill etc.
My yearly pilgrimage to my local Purple Mushroom location came a bit too late this year, but I was able to see some stragglers. Species: Viscid violet cort
blasts you with a mind beam that makes you want to read "The Dolphin in the Mirror: Exploring Dolphin Minds and Saving Dolphin Lives" by Diana Reiss in its entirety
