Is my Tortoise Territorial with me?

[TheWarTortoise]

Hey everyone!

I have a Russian and Leopard Tortoise outdoor enclosure and go in there frequently to check up on them, water the plants in their enclosures, refill their water dishes, feed them, ect. Almost every time I go out there, my Leopard walks up to my foot and kind of sniffs it, and just is overall interested in me. Is this just him saying hi and expecting food, or is he getting territorial and sees my foot as some sort of rival tortoise? Would love to know.

Thanks!

(P.S. My Russian and Leopard do not live together, their enclosures are just close to each other.)

 

[Speedy-1]

Speedy follows me all over his enclosure , and will walk right over my foot while I am getting his food ready . ! believe he is just saying Hi to the "food guy" ! I do have a pair of moccasins that he seems to find sort of tasty !

 

[Markw84]

Imagine having a 130lb Sulcata come up and ram you with those gulars when you're not paying attention! that can HURT!

 

[JoesMum]

My Greek usually sniffs my foot before starting to butt so I'd say it's territorial.

Are you keeping these two together? The size difference concerns me and they really shouldn't be kept together.

 

[TheWarTortoise]

My Greek usually sniffs my foot before starting to butt so I'd say it's territorial.

Are you keeping these two together? The size difference concerns me and they really shouldn't be kept together.

No, their enclosures are close together, but they are still separate from each other.

 

[JoesMum]

No, their enclosures are close together, but they are still separate from each other.

Just watch out for your ankle with the sniffing. My Greek is 7lb and it hurts if he catches you on the ankle bone!

 

[MPRC]

My Redfoot is just a foot sniffer. He doesn't ram, he just wants to sniff your toes and follow you around.

 

[tglazie]

It could be either/or. Good way to tell is to throw food in their path. Most of mine approach me out of curiosity or hunger, but I have one who will charge over food to have a stare down with my toes.

T.G.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

One of my Redfoot is a foot and shoe biter.
I can't turn my back on her and no longer wear flip flops out there.
It is purely aggression.

 

[dmmj]

As long as there is no ramming or biting, smelling is just curiosity and you're being checked out.

 

[surfergirl]

My sully will push you into the next zip code if you stay around his new house entrance too long. thinking they are just protecting what they have, food, burrow, space, etc. my guy doesn't all out ram you but he will pushhhhh. alot. lol!

 

[KaitlinKeefe_]

my larger russian sniffs as well. ive always thought it was just how he knew it was me because then he just stares waiting to be fed or get a neck rub lol