Is it normal for male russian to bite in the face?

[wiktoria]

I woke up and my tortoise was scratching the side of its cage so i took it out i fell asleep then i woke with a bite on my face...

 

[HLogic]

It is not completely surprising considering the circumstances.

 

[Tom]

Might I recommend not leaving your russian out loose in your bed? Especially while you are sleeping.

 

[bouaboua]

Not an good idea to have a torts while you are sleep. You may just suffocate him by turn your body on him. Not mention he may poo or pee..............

 

[tortdad]

That's awesome, your tort is 'thug life'

Next time you should just let me be. How big is his cage?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Wiktoria:

Your Russian tortoise needs a bigger space, that's why he was scratching. They are hard-wired to do a lot of wandering, and being contained in an aquarium is stressful to him.

Can you give him a large, safe outdoor enclosure?

 

[wiktoria]

Well my tort is about 2-3 inches and the cage is about 1 mmeter long so i dont think thats the problem, the only thing i wonder about is why did he bite my face

 

[tortdad]

Well my tort is about 2-3 inches and the cage is about 1 mmeter long so i dont think thats the problem, the only thing i wonder about is why did he bite my face

A cage for a Russian should be min 1.25 meter wide and 2.25 meters long (roughly 4' by 8'). You got bit in the face because you're trying to snuggle with a wild animal. They are not domesticated animals like dogs or cats.

 

[wiktoria]

oh... okay XD i will get it a larger cage

 

[leigti]

Well my tort is about 2-3 inches and the cage is about 1 mmeter long so i dont think thats the problem, the only thing i wonder about is why did he bite my face

He was seeing if you were edible.

 

[HLogic]

Another bit of information... If your tort is 2-3", you cannot be certain of the sex.

 

[wiktoria]

wait it's not 2-3 inch i just noticed what an inch it XD

 

[wiktoria]

it 4-6 inches XD

 

[Yvonne G]

Then for sure he needs more space.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Like the experienced members have said, it's not a good idea to have your tort in bed with you, not natural and dangerous for you both.
I'm glad you're going to get a bigger enclosure as this will make him a happier guy and he was only biting you because he was scared and defending himself, or was feeling a bit hungry and was seeing if you were edible.
Usually my Tidgy doesn't bite me, but if my hands smell of something she finds interesting she'll have a go at my fingers, but mostly she can smell it's me and is gentle taking food from my hands, even tiny pieces, without touching me. Clever girl.
Don't worry, just don't give him another opportunity of giving you a love bite!

 

[Gillian M]

I would never have my tort in my bed. Please allow me to point out that when I allow it to roam around the flat I do not allow it to entre my bedroom.

 

[wiktoria]

I do understand it wasn't the most smartest idea. I just wanted to find out why did it bite me, thanks guys

 

[Tom]

They sample things with their mouth. Many species will eat carrion in the wild. Your tortoise must have been testing to see if you were a big dead animal it could eat.

 

[leigti]

They sample things with their mouth. Many species will eat carrion in the wild. Your tortoise must have been testing to see if you were a big dead animal it could eat.

That's what I said thanks Tom for explaining it much more thoroughly.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yeah, they will actually try to eat almost anything, from human food, to dangerous things like dust bunnies, paper clips and once I found mine eating a piece of Christmas tinsel that had blown into her outdoor area. Don't let them, they are eating machines and don't always know what's good for them.