Doesn't sound inhumane at all, based on the care you're giving them in shipping.
I encounter many animals as I bike along a rail trail
through nature preserves. Squirrels and chipmunks are everywhere. And they seem oblivious to me. On these trails, when you pass another cyclist or a walker/runner, you're supposed to yell "on your left" to alert them, both for their protection and your own safety.
Damned squirrels and chipmunks don't much care, and I have to yell really loud "get off the damned road" before they do. 'cept for that one chipmunk who I did my best to avoid...my first roadkill I'm sad to say.
But, the turtles are different. Granted they don't move as fast (LOL), but they certainly are far more aware of my passage. This one was the biggest I've ever seen. What variety would you guess?
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