Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies
by Liz Palika
Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2005937351
ISBN: 0-7645-5313-5
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7
1B/TR/RQ/QW/IN
About the Author
Liz Palika met her first reptile as a teenager when she brought home a long, sleek, black racer snake and her mother promptly locked her out of the house! That snake was immediately released back into the wild, but Lizs fascination with reptiles continued.
Today, Liz and her husband, Paul, take in numerous abandoned, neglected, or escaped turtles and tortoises. The chelonians are evaluated as to their state of health, nursed back to health, and then adopted to new homes. A few who need special care remain with Liz and Paul for as long as needed. A few stay forever! Onyx, a Gulf Coast box turtle, was the first chelonian taken in after Liz and Paul decided (almost 20 years ago) to do rescue work. Onyx was so personable and so old (she is ancient) that she has remained a permanent resident. She and seven of her offspring are the rulers of the box turtle outside enclosure. Besides Onyxs contribution to the world, the Palikas have established a breeding colony of leopard tortoises and a colony of sulcatas.
Liz is an award-winning author; her books have won honors from ASPCA, Purina, Dog Writers Association of America, Cat Writers Association, and the San Diego Book Writers. Her more than 30 nonfiction books include The Consumers Guide to Feeding Reptiles (Howell Book House), Your Bearded Dragons Life (Prima), Your Iguanas Life (Prima), and The Leopard Tortoise; He said, She said (Green Nature Books).
Authors Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to thank my husband, Paul Palika. He is so patient, following me to turtle and tortoise shows, educational seminars, and rescue group meetings. He puts up with turtle egg incubators on the kitchen counter, baby turtles in sweater boxes, and gigantic tortoises mowing the grass in the backyard. (Come to think of it, I think he actually likes the help with mowing!) He helps me dig up tortoise eggs when I holler for help. He has driven hours, one way, to help me pick up a tortoise hit by a car. His patience seems limitless. Thank you, Paul.
Thanks, too, to my sister Mary Welther and my friend Petra Horn. Both are also serving as board members for the Watachie Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise rescue group and, like my husband, have spent hours at seminars, meetings, and educational displays, answering thousands of questions about turtles and tortoises. Thank you, Mary and Petra; I couldnt do it without you!
About Howell Book House
Thank you for choosing a book brought to you by the pet experts at Howell Book House, a division of Wiley. And welcome to the family of pet owners whove put their trust in Howell books for nearly 40 years!
Pet ownership is about relationships the bonds people form with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish, small mammals, reptiles, and other animals. Howell Book House/Wiley understands that these are some of the most important relationships in life, and that its vital to nurture them through enjoyment and education. The happiest pet owners are those who know theyre taking the best care of their pets and with Howell books owners have this satisfaction. Theyre happy, educated owners, and as a result, they have happy pets, and that enriches the bond they share.
Howell Book House was established in 1961 by Mr. Elsworth S. Howell, an active and proactive dog fancier who showed English Setters and judged at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show in New York. Mr. Howell based his publishing program on strength of content, and his passion for books written by experienced and knowledgeable owners defined Howell Book House and has remained true over the years. Howells reputation as the premier pet book publisher is supported by the distinction of having won more awards from the Dog Writers Association of America than any other publisher. Howell Book House/Wiley has over 400 titles in publication, including such classics as The American Kennel Clubs