sarahandshelldon
Member
does anyone else cuddle with their tort? look at mine he fell asleep on me 
cuddling!
- Thread starter sarahandshelldon
- Start date
When my first tort was a hatchling, yes I did.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Mine doesn't like any stroking or anything, so I don't. But I think @zolasmum s tortoise zola loves being stroked!
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- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
No.
My dog gets 99% of my affection.
My tortoises just want food
My dog gets 99% of my affection.
My tortoises just want food
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I think @Renee_H s tortoise also likes getting some shell rubs.
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Yes, Zola has a regular evening cuddle , lying on my chest with his head near my left shoulder. I slide down in the armchair, so I'm a sloping surface, and the curtains are drawn against the sunlight -he weighs about 1 kilo, and is 24 years old - we have been doing this for a long time now - he lies there, allowing me to stroke him for ages -up to an hour sometimes. I think we both go into a sort of trance, actually. I mainly just stoke his shell gently and lightly in various directions, and the top of his head. Sometimes he presses his head against my cheek or my mouth, which I take as appreciation. He doesn't actually go to sleep, and when he has had enough he starts moving around, and he gets taken back to his conservatory.
I feel quite honoured by his trust.
Angie
I feel quite honoured by his trust.
Angie
Jacky likes a good rub and cuddle providing it's on the ground because when I pick her up and bring her in at night I get kicked and shoved until I put her down!
Natrah
PS: She is very strong for 88!
Natrah
PS: She is very strong for 88!
RhodaE
Active Member
My 30+yr old leopard tortoise usually follows me whenever we're outside, and while he usually experiences joy by shoving and knocking me over, he often stops and relaxes if I massage his legs. Then, the minute he stop he begins ramming me again. He doesn't do any of this with my husband ha.
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We started Zola's cuddle sessions in the winter, when we have a fire in that room, and I would sit in the firelight with him - then just continued , but drawing the curtains so the room would be semi-dark - he knows exactly what to expect, and I love the way he arranges himself on me - and arranges me too, if I have my chin in the wrong place, or whatever.
There have been a couple of times when he has been in a cross mood for some unknown reason, but if I can get him to stay on me for a minute or two, while I stroke him vigorously - he settles down quickly, and all is well.
Angie
There have been a couple of times when he has been in a cross mood for some unknown reason, but if I can get him to stay on me for a minute or two, while I stroke him vigorously - he settles down quickly, and all is well.
Angie
When I "like" these "cuddle" posts by members with their tortoises, I am merely acknowledging the human's joy at an activity which seems to them to be being shared by the tortoise. Whether or not the tortoise is "enjoying" the apparent pleasant interaction, it certainly gives us humans pleasure! I don't think there is harm in it for the tortoise if it is only for a short while, and all its conditions of care are right!
I second this thought.
When I pick my Tojo...I make sure it's just for few mins and then he goes straight bck to his enclosure.
He does fall asleep on my tummy, and so this says he's not agitated or afraid.
But again, I'm not sure if he likes this gesture or no, I agree it's just for my pleasure.
For us humans this is another way of showing love, along with providing the best care to them.
Trishk
Member
Mine sulcata did this too as a baby. It was so cute until he started nipping at my chin!
I had an over 100 pound Sulcata named Bob...I started cuddling him when he was about a year old, but the best part was when he was about 6 years old he started responding to me like a dog (sorta). I taught Bob how to play soccer using a 5 gallon bucket, and he would kick the bucket back to me...He became a celebrity in town being in the newspaper 3 times and the local ABC channel twice. At Christmas the Petco had Santa and Bob. Your kid could get a photo on Santa's lap for $10 and on Bob for $5 and the line for Bob was much longer than Santa's. The money would go to the Senior Dog Rescue. I have a tort shed that is 20'x12'. For winter I get a 1/2 a bale of locally grown grass hay and open it, and fluff it all out. Bob loved the hay and ate it good...but I would go into the shed and schooch around in the hay and Bob would climb up on my legs...he'd look into my eyes and I always thought he was trying hard to tell me something...lol...Bob and I would both drift off to sleep and sleep like that for a good while (but my legs didn't work at times to get up) he'd lay his head on my chest and actually sleep..wow... I took him for walks in my park and there was always a pack of kids with strawberries walking in front of him clapping and chanting..let's go Bob (clap clap)...I have had numerous Sulcata since Bob but no matter how hard I tried, none lived up to Bob. There are still members here who knew Bob and how hard it was when he died...he was only 17...
hmmm, I think this is him. But Bob smiled, and I don't see a smile here...maybe my sis has access to a Bob photo...
hmmm, I think this is him. But Bob smiled, and I don't see a smile here...maybe my sis has access to a Bob photo...
Last edited:
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When I'm holding Zola against my chest he will sometimes look into my eyes as if he is desperately trying to tell me something, (and I don't mean "put me down,Mum) - and I so wish I knew what he is saying.
Angie
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I think so too. Mine doesn't like cuddling and I don't feel the need to cuddle him, but I love to see and hear stories of other members and their tortoises.
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