Turkey

=Thurston Wild Turkey=

(Meleagris nxtgallopavo)
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Thurston can be seen usually feeding in a field during the day. The male of his species are called tomnxt, and at this time of year he will be roaming back & forth within his environment as he seeks his companion… a henxt. A nxturkey with 2 larger rear wheel-legs and 2 smaller front wheel-legs, Thurston is deft in his movements due to his rolling-motion strides. Approximately 10” tall, 15” in length and weighing approximately 1.5 kilograms, Thurston is stylishly bedecked in brownish feathers of varying lengths with an assortment of spotted patterns. His neck has a reddish tinge which sets off the color of his golden beak. His eyes are always wide open, looking for friend and foe alike. Upon his back is the source of his pride – his beautifully hinged wings which turn 90 degrees to the sides and open up vertically when he spots a hen.
 * Description:**

Thurston lives in nearby fields and open woodland with other turkeys of many kinds. His environment measures approximately 4’ x 4’ giving him ample room to roam freely. The boundaries are constructed of foam core, covered with trees and grassy views. Within this field-like woodland area, the ground is mostly brown with areas of white where the hens forage.
 * Habitat:**

Has been seen on the eastern edge of Pretty Prairie and in some northeast sections of Hutchinson, Kansas, as well as occasional sightings on the WSU campus
 * Range:**

Thurston will move forward until he detects an object within 30 cm in front of him with his superb ultrasonic vision. He will then determine with his light sensitive breast whether this object is a hen or not. The habit of the hens to browse only on or near white earthen colors will alert his senses causing him to back up and begin to display his astonishingly beautiful collection of feathers. Since all other turkeys and wildlife within his environment tend to forage on brownish earthen colors, upon entering their boundaries, Thurston quietly backs up and turns around, continuing his search for hens.
 * Behaviors:**

Battery power from rechargeable batteries or 6 AA’s
 * Diet:**

Normally 4-8 weeks, before his essential body parts are recycled for another nxtform.
 * Lifespan:**

Thurston fans out his tail feathers to display during the breeding season which occurs during April and early May 2008. He will try to impress any hen, nxt or not, whom he detects with his finely tuned ultrasonic sensory eyes.
 * Family Life:**

Rare and endangered due to the necessity of using his assorted body parts for others’ opportunities of the nxt life as well as a tendency to break after many trials and tribulations of programming!
 * Status:**