Flexing front legs - happy?

[Cleanshirtru]

Hi all,

I have a three year old Hermann who has a habit of rythmic flexing of his front legs and breathing heavily at the same time when you crouch down and talk to him - is this a sign of appreciation/happiness, almost like a dog will wag its tail? Is it perhaps something else like a defence mechanism?

Thanks!

 

[wellington]

Don't really know for sure. However, more of a defense then happy to see you. They just aren't domesticated like that. However, it's your tort, if you want to think its because he is happy to see you, go for it. You won't be the only one.

 

[Yvonne G]

The turtle's rigid shell prevents the animal from breathing in the usual way, that is, moving the ribs to fill the lungs with air. The turtle's ribs are firmly fixed to the inside of its shell, so in order to breathe the turtle uses two special sets of muscles. One set pulls the other body organs away from the lungs, filling the lungs with air. Then a second set of muscles pulls the organs against the lungs, forcing the air out.

In young turtles and tortoises, this causes the front legs to move in response to the muscles moving the air in and out.

 

[Tortus]

Mine does this when startled.

 

[Watsonpartyof4]

Hi all,

I have a three year old Hermann who has a habit of rythmic flexing of his front legs and breathing heavily at the same time when you crouch down and talk to him - is this a sign of appreciation/happiness, almost like a dog will wag its tail? Is it perhaps something else like a defence mechanism?

Thanks!

I Like to think he is eager to hear me talk to him,( but I know it's not really true ) so I am going with that!