My Russian likes to cuddle?

I've had my little Sacha for about a week now; I've been letting him walk around on my bed before I go to sleep the past few days. So far, every day he climbs up on my chest or shoulder and falls asleep. Is this normal and healthy for him? I know extra handling can stress a tort out but he does this willingly, and I pick him up and put him back in his enclosure before I go to sleep. Feedback?

Well as long as you are willing to accept the occasional poo and pee episode on you or your bed, your choice. They are not rreally "cuddle" pets, prob. likes the warmth, hence th poo and pee warning.

my tortoise does this too! I try not to let her fall asleep because she doesn't like being woke up. I have done research and found that they go to you for heat.

I think he likes you!

My Franklin does the same thing. We don't do it as often though. Sometimes i'll lay on the couch and plop him on my chest facing me, put a blanket over us up to his head (so he has a little blanket cave) and he'll fall asleep while we watch a movie. Its adorable, and while not conventional of tortoise keeping he seems to enjoy it because of the heat, and I've thought maybe the gradual rise and fall of breathing.
I've never had to deal with any accidents on me either, guess he just has manners, but I am fully prepared to have to deal with it if it happens since he is an animal and it can/will happen.

I also think to an extent the extra handling is good. As long as you're not letting them get stressed out (franks never acted it, but if he did i'd put him in his designated enclosure) I think its very helpful for bonding. Franklin when I first got him would have NEVER allowed this though! he spent the first month or so of his life with me trying to leave me and pooping/peeing when I came near him (petco-wild caught-no people experience!) but soon after he was "snuggling" up and falling asleep on me. The best moment was when he climbed up my shoulder and neck and stuck his face in my ear, IN my EAR!!! haha it tickled! hes never done it again so I guess it wasn't too interesting too him.

Haha Midge crawls under my shirt without fail whenever I try to dry her off after her baths - so it seems to be semi common at least

my Russian Randall lets my gram hold him and pet his head and sometimes he falls asleep (she hold him on a towel in case of accidents) they both seem to enjoy it

My Russian enjoys it too. When we are outside she'll sit on my lap and let me pat her neck and she will stay there as long as I keep patting her.

smarch said:

My Franklin does the same thing. We don't do it as often though. Sometimes i'll lay on the couch and plop him on my chest facing me, put a blanket over us up to his head (so he has a little blanket cave) and he'll fall asleep while we watch a movie. Its adorable, and while not conventional of tortoise keeping he seems to enjoy it because of the heat, and I've thought maybe the gradual rise and fall of breathing.
I've never had to deal with any accidents on me either, guess he just has manners, but I am fully prepared to have to deal with it if it happens since he is an animal and it can/will happen.

I also think to an extent the extra handling is good. As long as you're not letting them get stressed out (franks never acted it, but if he did i'd put him in his designated enclosure) I think its very helpful for bonding. Franklin when I first got him would have NEVER allowed this though! he spent the first month or so of his life with me trying to leave me and pooping/peeing when I came near him (petco-wild caught-no people experience!) but soon after he was "snuggling" up and falling asleep on me. The best moment was when he climbed up my shoulder and neck and stuck his face in my ear, IN my EAR!!! haha it tickled! hes never done it again so I guess it wasn't too interesting too him.

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Wow! Stuck his face in your EAR? Didn't that scare you? I'm not joking here.

Kvrzorz said:

I've had my little Sacha for about a week now; I've been letting him walk around on my bed before I go to sleep the past few days. So far, every day he climbs up on my chest or shoulder and falls asleep. Is this normal and healthy for him? I know extra handling can stress a tort out but he does this willingly, and I pick him up and put him back in his enclosure before I go to sleep. Feedback?

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Oli used to do the same. He'd sit beside me on the sofa (maybe watching some TV!), and even crawl on my laps!! This went on until I joined the forum when I read that torts do not like to be cuddled, picked up unless necessary and the rest.

dmmj said:

Well as long as you are willing to accept the occasional poo and pee episode on you or your bed, your choice. They are not rreally "cuddle" pets, prob. likes the warmth, hence th poo and pee warning.

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I can't deal with the poop and pee on my bed/carpet/self either. which is one of the biggest reasons why i can NOT let them walk around like that. Nope.
But it is very cute that your tort('s) are so friendly and cuddly with you.

When my two boys have a bath, I dry them in a towel on my lap and they always climb up and sit on my chest or shoulder and snuggle into my neck, one of them sometimes makes snorting noises into my neck - I don't know if this is normal, and they are free to move away but stay there until I move them.

See, Curtis used to do that too when he was a baby! Only he would start trying to burrow in my hair, and he would always get stuck.

Not a chance, not on MY shirt...My female smells so ungodly when she poo's it isn't EVEN funny. I couldn't smell that bad if you fed me Burger King lol.

I thought I was special. Ha ha. I have one Russian that loves to cuddle and watch tv. She closes her eyes and rubs her face against my cheek then falls asleep in my neck. My other Russian does not like to be that close. There is something special when they want to snuggle you. I know it’s probably for heat, but it’s trust all the same.

My Russian seems to think I'm a jerk, but I'm his hookup for hibiscus flowers so he tolerates me....

Jamie

Whether it's real affection from the tortoise or not.....
It doesn't matter if you get joy from the interaction.
In turn, your affection probably means a better life for the animal. So, everyone wins!

Gillian M said:

Oli used to do the same. He'd sit beside me on the sofa (maybe watching some TV!), and even crawl on my laps!! This went on until I joined the forum when I read that torts do not like to be cuddled, picked up unless necessary and the rest.

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You need a puppy, my friend!
But, seriously. If you enjoy the act and you aren't hurting Oli.....I say do it.
Sitting with him will do no harm.

ZEROPILOT said:

You need a puppy, my friend!
But, seriously. If you enjoy the act and you aren't hurting Oli.....I say do it.
Sitting with him will do no harm.

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Thanks the advice, Ed. Appreciate it. I'm too scared of dogs, I regret to say. As for cats, well I do not like them.

And once again HAPPY BITHDAY!

Gillian M said:

Thanks the advice, Ed. Appreciate it. I'm too scared of dogs, I regret to say. As for cats, well I do not like them.

And once again HAPPY BITHDAY!

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Do you fear this?
If you didn't live half way across the world from us, Suki would change your mind.