Needy Hermann

Huw

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Liverpool
Hello!

Monty (7 year old Hermann, first winter we've had him) has become somewhat needy these past couple of months.

He seems totally healthy - eating well, pooping well etc - but every time we get him out he wont leave us alone - running over and sitting by us or nuzzling/biting/humping out feet. And when he is in his box and he sees us he is desperate to get out.

Is this something we should be wary of or it is normal?

It is all very cute and nice but he used to a lot more independent.
 

Bee62

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Germany
Hello!

Monty (7 year old Hermann, first winter we've had him) has become somewhat needy these past couple of months.

He seems totally healthy - eating well, pooping well etc - but every time we get him out he wont leave us alone - running over and sitting by us or nuzzling/biting/humping out feet. And when he is in his box and he sees us he is desperate to get out.

Is this something we should be wary of or it is normal?

It is all very cute and nice but he used to a lot more independent.
Hello. I think you have a male tort and he is now adult. Adult male torts try to mate with everything ( shoes, balls, feet ) and he bites you to chase you out of his territory. This behavior is pretty normal for an adult male.
Can you please show us some pics of your tort ? Especially the underside with the tale ?
 
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Huw

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IMG_7440.JPG Danke for the reply.
I feared that he might be a sexed up little beastie!

So when he is biting he is trying to rid of us?

I'm afraid I don't have any photos of his underside. The vet told us he has deformed tail though. I'll take some tonight. Here he is tho.
 

WithLisa

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To me it sounds more like his enclosure is too small so he doesn't have anything else to do.
Enlarge his "box" to give him his own territory, don't let him roam on the floor.
 

Bambam1989

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Yes, even when he is "nuzzling" or snuggling with you, that is actually a crowding behavior, yet another way of showing dominance.
Everything you describe is a mature tort asserting his dominance and trying to rid his territory of intruders
 

Huw

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To me it sounds more like his enclosure is too small so he doesn't have anything else to do.
Enlarge his "box" to give him his own territory, don't let him roam on the floor.

Yes, this is our plan for the next few months. We haven't had him a year yet and we are still learning all the time!

Thanks for your advice. So difficult over winter and he has never hibernated and we are scared of it to be honest!
 

Huw

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Yes, even when he is "nuzzling" or snuggling with you, that is actually a crowding behavior, yet another way of showing dominance.
Everything you describe is a mature tort asserting his dominance and trying to rid his territory of intruders

Its not working though, he just makes us like him all the more. He needs a change of tack.

Seriously though, what should we do? Leave him alone more?

Thanks for your input!
 

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