Do they bite hard?

[noved32]

Okay so I have a male 10 yr old Russian named Bob whom I love. I hand feed him a lot of times and sit and pet his head or legs or back. Today he eat the piece I gave him and I was just chilling with my hand near him. He tried to take a nibble but I pulled away.

Do they bite hard? If I let him bite me can he actually draw blood or do they just nibble.. I wouldn't mind him nibbling if it didn't hurt..I know I'm crazy just don't know how hard they bite? Thanks

 

[Utah Lynn]

They bite very hard.

 

[Bobo's Dad]

Mine bit be when I was hand feeding it pinched I got scared jerked my hand and he did a flip.

 

[dannel]

What would you liken the pain to? Is it just like a pinch or actual HURT?

 

[dmmj]

I've been bittnen by water turtles many times, it usually feels like a pinch. They can draw blood, and it is not advisable to hand feed, because they tend to associate your hand with food, as you have learned.

 

[mctlong]

They bite very hard.

... and they hold on for awhile until they realize you're not food. Its not pleasant. I wouldn't advise handfeeding if biting is a habit of your tort.

 

[kanalomele]

Mine has been known to occasionally be interested in nibbling my toes, and he definitely bites the dogs if they get to close to me. I would equate it to a firm pinch.

 

[Happy Tortoise]

Owww I've tried it be careful

 

[Laurie]

I've seen my adult RT tear through a pumpkin pretty violently, I would not want to be bit by him!

 

[minvikfan11]

Mine has never tried to bite me, anyone else nor other animals. I have hand fed her and touched her face and not once has she tried to bite me.

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

I have been bitten by a RES and it drew blood and it hurt!!!!!! But my Russian's have never shown the slightest interest in my fingers. I've been bitten by a 4-5" desert tortoise though and it just tickled.

 

[noved32]

Thanks for all the info.. I love my tort and if a little nibble didn't hurt I would let him but maybe I will just keep fingers away..!! Lol sooo I saw someone post that their RT eats pumpkin? Can I give my RT pumpkin and is it like all fruits just a little once every few weeks??

 

[dmmj]

Since pumpkin is in season you can bend the once every few weeks rule, since they won't be eating it year round. I think right now twice a week won't hurt.

 

[Nami The tortoise]

I would imagine, any tortoise or turtle would have a painful bite/nibble. I personally know many people with " a little to nippy" torts, and have had occasions when they were left with a bloody hand.