Please Help Identify Sounds

[bellbot]

My 5 year old sulcata tortoise is making a sound I have never heard before. I can’t seem to find answers online so if anyone would like to help, it is somewhat of a squeaky noice while his throat pulses. My email is [email protected]

 

[KarenSoCal]

My 5 year old sulcata tortoise is making a sound I have never heard before.

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

It's kind of hard to help with a sound we haven't heard. Do you think you could get a video of him doing it? Then upload the video to YouTube, and post the link they provide here.

In the meantime, is there anything else you've noticed? Any bubbles from his nose? Are his eyes nice and bright?

Is he being kept warm enough (80° minimum) all the time?

Pumping their throat is done sometimes when they are sniffing something. Is it like that, or is it like he's trying to get something out of his throat? Does he use his arm to rub at his neck?

These are just some things to look at. We'll do better when you post that video link.

 

[bellbot]

https://youtube.com/shorts/vOI88TIv9-Y

Here is a short video of mannerisms as well as the sound he makes. He spends about 10 hours a day with his heat lamp on, then burrows when he’s ready to sleep.

 

[KarenSoCal]

https://youtube.com/shorts/vOI88TIv9-Y

Here is a short video of mannerisms as well as the sound he makes. He spends about 10 hours a day with his heat lamp on, then burrows when he’s ready to sleep.

Oh my...he sounds like he's quacking! ?

But seriously, I have no idea what that is. He certainly does not seem to be in any distress. He did touch his throat, but not immediately before the sound.

I'm at a loss...I'll tag some members who may know.

@zovick
@Tom
@Yvonne G
@maggie3fan

 

[Maggie3fan]

Wow, #1, the water level is too shallow, #2 I have 2 box turtles who make that same noise, it comes while eating. I'm sorry, I can't help you. I'm interested in finding out what that is. I'm not quite sure what it is

 

[zovick]

Oh my...he sounds like he's quacking! ?

But seriously, I have no idea what that is. He certainly does not seem to be in any distress. He did touch his throat, but not immediately before the sound.

I'm at a loss...I'll tag some members who may know.

@zovick
@Tom
@Yvonne G
@maggie3fan

It doesn't seem as though this sound is coming from the respiratory tract to me. To me, it sounds as though the tortoise is just "clicking" his upper and lower beaks together which I have observed some tortoises do over the years. It may be a natural attempt at keeping the beaks sharpened or to keep them from getting overgrown.