Is my tortoise "mating?"

[Faith01841]

Hi! I have a Mediterranean Horsefield tortoise called Morty. He's six and lives alone in a big wooden enclosure full of soil.

He has a little bridge in his enclosure that he likes to hide under and climb over and push over.

Today I heard him making odd squeaking noises, so I ran over, and he seemed to be humping his bridge? Is this what they do when they're "in heat", so to speak? Or is this a cause for concern? I know squeaking can indicate a range of things but I can't see anything wrong with him.

 

[zolasmum]

Hi! I have a Mediterranean Horsefield tortoise called Morty. He's six and lives alone in a big wooden enclosure full of soil.

He has a little bridge in his enclosure that he likes to hide under and climb over and push over.

Today I heard him making odd squeaking noises, so I ran over, and he seemed to be humping his bridge? Is this what they do when they're "in heat", so to speak? Or is this a cause for concern? I know squeaking can indicate a range of things but I can't see anything wrong with him.

Hello Faith and welcome from Devon. I'm afraid that Morty was indeed getting "romantic" with his bridge -there isn't much you can do about it, except take the bridge away, which would be a shame. Our tortoise, Zola, a Hermanns, now 24, especially likes having a go at my shoes,(with my feet in them) and squeaks a lot too - I think the spring weather sets him off to some extent. Don't worry, anyway -just keep a check that Morty isn't hurting himself in his enthusiasm !
Angie

 

[Faith01841]

Hello Faith and welcome from Devon. I'm afraid that Morty was indeed getting "romantic" with his bridge -there isn't much you can do about it, except take the bridge away, which would be a shame. Our tortoise, Zola, a Hermanns, now 24, especially likes having a go at my shoes,(with my feet in them) and squeaks a lot too - I think the spring weather sets him off to some extent. Don't worry, anyway -just keep a check that Morty isn't hurting himself in his enthusiasm !
Angie

Hi Angie, thank you so much for your reply! That's put my mind at rest, I'm one for jumping to disastrous conclusions haha. That's funny about your shoes! I'll certainly keep an eye on Morty and make sure he's not hurting himself. He woke up from hibernation a few weeks ago so perhaps that's what's set him off. Thanks again!

 

[zolasmum]

Hi Angie, thank you so much for your reply! That's put my mind at rest, I'm one for jumping to disastrous conclusions haha. That's funny about your shoes! I'll certainly keep an eye on Morty and make sure he's not hurting himself. He woke up from hibernation a few weeks ago so perhaps that's what's set him off. Thanks again!

Hello again - you could put one or two smooth fairly large rounded stones in Morty's enclosure, to see if he might find them equally interesting, and distract him from damaging his bridge. The first time Zola did it, he was 4, and "helping" his dad on his desk. HIs dad called me, as Zola was on top of his hand, which was curved over the computer mouse, and was bouncing up and down, making these tiny squeaks - the funniest thing ever !
Angie

 

[Faith01841]

Hello again - you could put one or two smooth fairly large rounded stones in Morty's enclosure, to see if he might find them equally interesting, and distract him from damaging his bridge. The first time Zola did it, he was 4, and "helping" his dad on his desk. HIs dad called me, as Zola was on top of his hand, which was curved over the computer mouse, and was bouncing up and down, making these tiny squeaks - the funniest thing ever !
Angie

Hahaha that is so cute! And thank you for the stone suggestion, I will certainly try it

 

[Tom]

Hi! I have a Mediterranean Horsefield tortoise called Morty. He's six and lives alone in a big wooden enclosure full of soil.

He has a little bridge in his enclosure that he likes to hide under and climb over and push over.

Today I heard him making odd squeaking noises, so I ran over, and he seemed to be humping his bridge? Is this what they do when they're "in heat", so to speak? Or is this a cause for concern? I know squeaking can indicate a range of things but I can't see anything wrong with him.

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