Personable tortoises

[Wenzer]

I'm curious to know how many of you have tortoises/turtles that seem to be quite personable with their people! Does this tend to be something common amongst these reptiles? I know that a lot of reptiles will learn to associate their people with food and anticipate the people coming up to their enclosures, but does it ever seem like they just come up to say hi to you? ?


My little Russian girl (I really need to think of a name for her...) is really funny. I like to check in on her periodically throughout the day while I get accustomed to a heat/humidity regulation routine (mainly just ensuring that the humidity is okay and/or if I need to spray or add any water to the substrate). I sometimes come in and sit on the floor by her enclosure just to kind of observe; she's really interesting to watch as she casually moves around, or digs, or eats. She has been coming up to me quite often, right after I sit down to watch her. I thought maybe she was coming to eat since I sit next to the area where her salad dish also sits, but she just climbs over it and sits by the wall to look up at me! Then she will hang out there for a few minutes before deciding to do something else.

She seems pretty curious about me which I'm very intrigued by (and enamored haha!). Ive offered her some greens by hand but no takers yet; though a couple of times she has come right up to my fingers and appeared to just sniff them.

I think I'm really going to like this new journey into the reptile world ?

 

[MichaelL]

Reptiles are so underrated by people who don't have them.. Especially tortoises and turtles. Regarding yours, I guess they come just to investigate since something has entered their territory and they want to check it out.. Idk, just a guess, but it still is awesome.

 

[Wenzer]

Reptiles are so underrated by people who don't have them.. Especially tortoises and turtles. Regarding yours, I guess they come just to investigate since something has entered their territory and they want to check it out.. Idk, just a guess, but it still is awesome.

I will admit that I have been a bit ignorant in regards to just how much personality torts can have! It's been so long since I kept reptiles, and even though I remember just how fun lizards could be (I had a juvenile WC golden tegu a while back who was far from the "aggressive, wild monster" some people make them out to be! She loved to sunbathe in the window on my computer desk, and was never scared of being handled... she was awesome!) I guess a lot of that information escaped me in the years since then.

Honestly, I have considered on and off about getting another reptile of some kind within the last 3 or so years, but couldn't decide on just the right one that would do best in my care, and which one interested me most. Crested geckos and smaller tortoise species always seemed to come out on top though! I do remember several different occasions that I spent nights splurging on videos/pictures and forums, learning about and oggling these guys. I think it's pretty awesome that the decision was just kind of made FOR me! I don't regret taking these guys in

 

[ZEROPILOT]

One of my four Redfoot are very curious and interactive.
She activity chases me. Bites at my feet and doesn't want me in her pen or near her sisters.
The other three are all......Tortoise like.

 

[Wenzer]

One of my four Redfoot are very curious and interactive.
She activity chases me. Bites at my feet and doesn't want me in her pen or near her sisters.

Oh man ? makes me think of the "big sister protecting her pure baby sisters from the real world" kind of thing! Chasing away all the guys lol. (Were you the one who also breeds redfoots? I can't remember ?)

 

[Srmcclure]

My redfoot immediately turns towards me when I come up to her enclosure. She doesn't do that for my husband or my son. Ive even caught myself doing the come kitty kissy noise and she actually has a few times ? not saying she came because of that noise, but still haha. And as soon as i pick her up to chill in my hand while I get her bath placed she immediately spreads out and starfishes in my hand like if we found a super comfy bed lol. Such a goofball.

My leopard just looks at me and basically flips me off and keeps on truckin'.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Oh man ? makes me think of the "big sister protecting her pure baby sisters from the real world" kind of thing! Chasing away all the guys lol. (Were you the one who also breeds redfoots? I can't remember ?)

I bred them once.
But quickly gave it up because I had issues finding the babies homes that I felt good about.
Now I just keep females in my permanent group.
I do rehab males on occasion. But they remain bachelors while they are here.

 

[Wenzer]

My redfoot immediately turns towards me when I come up to her enclosure. She doesn't do that for my husband or my son. Ive even caught myself doing the come kitty kissy noise and she actually has a few times ? not saying she came because of that noise, but still haha. And as soon as i pick her up to chill in my hand while I get her bath placed she immediately spreads out and starfishes in my hand like if we found a super comfy bed lol. Such a goofball.

My leopard just looks at me and basically flips me off and keeps on truckin'.

Aww, how sweet! She seems so comfortable with you! ??

 

[Wenzer]

I bred them once.
But quickly gave it up because I had issues finding the babies homes that I felt good about.
Now I just keep females in my permanent group.
I do rehab males on occasion. But they remain bachelors while they are here.

Ah I see! I know I've been digging through the forums and there's been a lot of older posts that I see, maybe that's where I noticed it. Or I could be thinking of someone else.

 

[Srmcclure]

Aww, how sweet! She seems so comfortable with you! ??

Haha I hope so! Or she just realized she was the boss ?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Ah I see! I know I've been digging through the forums and there's been a lot of older posts that I see, maybe that's where I noticed it. Or I could be thinking of someone else.

I've rehomed some individuals that I received sickly and got them healthy again. Probably 10 or so.
I've also rehomed some males. Maybe 3 or 4.
Then there were 5 babies that I hatched.
One Cherryhead that I didn't have a separate pen for.
And one special needs baby.
I've definitely posted most of them here. And most of the new owners are members here.

SOUTHERN REPTILES is here in south Florida.
Ryan is a great guy with nice, robust animals.
He is my breeder of choice, if you are asking.

 

[Srmcclure]

I've rehomed some individuals that I received sickly and got them healthy again. Probably 10 or so.
I've also rehomed some males. Maybe 3 or 4.
Then there were 5 babies that I hatched.
One Cherryhead that I didn't have a separate pen for.
And one special needs baby.
I've definitely posted most of them here. And most of the new owners are members here.

SOUTHERN REPTILES is here in south Florida.
Ryan is a great guy with nice, robust animals.
He is my breeder of choice, if you are asking.

What kind of special needs? Jc.

 

[Wenzer]

I've rehomed some individuals that I received sickly and got them healthy again. Probably 10 or so.
I've also rehomed some males. Maybe 3 or 4.
Then there were 5 babies that I hatched.
One Cherryhead that I didn't have a separate pen for.
And one special needs baby.
I've definitely posted most of them here. And most of the new owners are members here.

SOUTHERN REPTILES is here in south Florida.
Ryan is a great guy with nice, robust animals.
He is my breeder of choice, if you are asking.

Oh okay! That could be what I was reading, I just get off track a lot when digging through forum posts
Redfoots are gorgeous but I don't think I'd be interested in a second tortoise, at least not at the moment. Maybe later down the road I'll have to talk to Ryan, though

 

[Srmcclure]

Oh okay! That could be what I was reading, I just get off track a lot when digging through forum posts
Redfoots are gorgeous but I don't think I'd be interested in a second tortoise, at least not at the moment. Maybe later down the road I'll have to talk to Ryan, though

Lol 2 seems to be my perfect number. I like to be able to be one on one with all my animals, even though the tortoise doesn't care haha.
I think they are gorgeous too! I actually got a bit offended when the guy I got my redfoot from said she was dull. She may not be as flashy as my leopard, but I think she's pretty!

 

[EllieMay]

I have 3 sulcatas. One of them is Super personable.... but only to me;-) he loves his head and legs scratched and will actually sit on top of my feet just to hang out.. one of the others is very chilled and friendly to everyone but doesn’t actually seek out attention.. and the third - well he’s not friendly at all ?

 

[Maggie3fan]

Well, y'all know about Bob, now Knobby is just a very outgoing personable tortoise, gets into a lot of trouble. Big Sam is a very nice easy keeper. I think Sulcata are the most intelligent and personality plus tortoise species

 

[Donutsgranny]

When our sulfate hears us outside he comes right out. In fact if he is grazing and we call his name he will usually saunter over to where we are standing.

 

[Maggie3fan]

When our sulfate hears us outside he comes right out. In fact if he is grazing and we call his name he will usually saunter over to where we are standing.

Your what? Do ya have a kind of tortoise that I never heard of? lol You doing a 'computer speak' thing? Teasing you

 

[Srmcclure]

Your what? Do ya have a kind of tortoise that I never heard of? lol You doing a 'computer speak' thing? Teasing you

Predict text sounds so great in theory hahaha
I am a constant victim of it lol

 

[Livinlavitaboca]

My redfoots are very personable and come trucking over when I enter the pen or talk to them but they are 5 and I’ve had them since they were babies. My two sulcutas not so much but they are only 1 year and really just want to eat.