QUESTION! We have 2 (f) sulcata tortoises- about 65 lbs each. We've had them for about 7 yrs. They're happy,healthy, roam freely in a very big back yard, eat great and have dug a terrific deep den. No problems. They're social and happy; they'll eat out of your hand; follow us around the yard; they interact with our two large dogs with no problem and love to have their necks rubbed - very social. Two days ago a gardening crew came in, did a ton of work, and left. Since then, one of the tortoises won't come out of their den and the other is tearing up the back yard - knocking over potted plants, knocking over or tearing out succulents, dragging furniture all over and just being a terror. Why the sudden aggression??!!! Does it have anything to do with hibernation season? (though that would be a first). Was the sudden crew in the yard an overload and she's extremely agitated? We can't figure it out!
Help! Suddenly Angry Tortoise
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They don't hibernate. I have no idea why your tortoises are acting that way. We have had gardeners and repairmen do extensive work in our yard while Charlie watched, even when they filled in his burrow, and he didn't react aggressively. He often will go on a tear, knocking things over, but I don't see it as aggressive, more as energetic. Your tortoises could just be reacting to the change in the weather.
Hi. Sorry this is happening 
You'll probably find if the gardeners changed your garden quite a lot the tortoises are unhappy because their territory has changed. It typically takes tortoises a month or so before they settle in new places.
That's the only thing I can think of but some of the other members may have some other ideas
You'll probably find if the gardeners changed your garden quite a lot the tortoises are unhappy because their territory has changed. It typically takes tortoises a month or so before they settle in new places.
That's the only thing I can think of but some of the other members may have some other ideas
I'll bet this has nothing to do with the gardeners.
It sounds like you have a typical male sulcata doing typical male sulcata things, and a female doing the typical hiding from the male.
Sulcatas should never be kept in pairs, especially not as adults.
They don't hibernate, and I don't know where you live, but I've already closed off my burrow for the season and they will be sleeping above ground in their insulated, heated boxes until it warms up in late spring again. You should be thinking about this too unless you live in the tropics somewhere.
Post a pic of each one showing the tail and anal scutes and let us verify the sexes, before we progress any further.
It sounds like you have a typical male sulcata doing typical male sulcata things, and a female doing the typical hiding from the male.
Sulcatas should never be kept in pairs, especially not as adults.
They don't hibernate, and I don't know where you live, but I've already closed off my burrow for the season and they will be sleeping above ground in their insulated, heated boxes until it warms up in late spring again. You should be thinking about this too unless you live in the tropics somewhere.
Post a pic of each one showing the tail and anal scutes and let us verify the sexes, before we progress any further.
Hi, and welcome to the Forum!
It might very well be that the people in your yard teased or tormented the tortoises while you weren't looking. There's really no way for us to know the answer to this problem, but you can take all of our experiences to heart and see which one seems to fit best. There is no wrong answer here.
It might very well be that the people in your yard teased or tormented the tortoises while you weren't looking. There's really no way for us to know the answer to this problem, but you can take all of our experiences to heart and see which one seems to fit best. There is no wrong answer here.
