Large tortoises CAN run backward

[ryan57]

Today Stump was out early and decided he wanted to go digging. Well, apparently there were bees that have decided that his burrow is a fantastic place for a nest. Southern Yellowjackets. This time of year they are real aggressive and apparently they didn't like me using a garden hoe to make sure there's nothing down in the hole. I'm grateful that I got stung half a dozen times and with Benadryl each site is only 2"x2" swollen up and that Stump did not go down in there.

Back to the story, he got stung in the face or neck and started swatting with his arms and RAN backward at full speed for about 12'.

I can't see a mark on him but boy oh boy I can see them on my arm!

 

[ryan57]

Almost 2 yrs and 6 mo in 2 weeks. For scale this guy is as big as my wife's torso and for scale his food dish is an 18" pizza pan. 45lbs. 48" doggie bed is his indoor burrow.

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if he's 60lbs @ 3 yrs since hatching out of his egg. His scutes just spread out again. He was very smooth 2 days ago and I have video of it.

The yellowjackets won the battle but not the war. In a couple hours, their nest will be their tomb.

 

[ryan57]

That reptile lamp is actually an LED now and no fire hazard. It USED to be heat until he didn't need it. Unfortunately, if the light is not on, it's just not right and he won't go there. That's why it has to be there. Also, I haven't hung his fan mail and photos yet.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Today Stump was out early and decided he wanted to go digging. Well, apparently there were bees that have decided that his burrow is a fantastic place for a nest. Southern Yellowjackets. This time of year they are real aggressive and apparently they didn't like me using a garden hoe to make sure there's nothing down in the hole. I'm grateful that I got stung half a dozen times and with Benadryl each site is only 2"x2" swollen up and that Stump did not go down in there.

Back to the story, he got stung in the face or neck and started swatting with his arms and RAN backward at full speed for about 12'.

I can't see a mark on him but boy oh boy I can see them on my arm!

😱😱😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺🥺😱🥺😱😱🥺😱🥺🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱😱🥺😱🥺

HOLY 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩!!!!!!!!!

Are you still ok?????
Should you go to the er for medical attention????
Aggressive yellow jackets 🐝!?!?!?!!!???
I freak out when I see ONE bee flyin round the back yard!!!
I cannot imagine the amount that were directly in front of YOU!!!!
Poor STUMP!!!!!!!!!!! 😧😧😧😧😧😧
The bees musta been saying
“I’ll show YOU a stump!”

You sure he didn’t get stung in the face????

Wow!!!!!!!
Hope you are feeling better soon!!!

 

[ryan57]

😱😱😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺🥺😱🥺😱😱🥺😱🥺🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱🥺😱😱🥺😱🥺

HOLY 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩!!!!!!!!!

Are you still ok?????
Should you go to the er for medical attention????
Aggressive yellow jackets 🐝!?!?!?!!!???
I freak out when I see ONE bee flyin round the back yard!!!
I cannot imagine the amount that were directly in front of YOU!!!!
Poor STUMP!!!!!!!!!!! 😧😧😧😧😧😧
The bees musta been saying
“I’ll show YOU a stump!”

You sure he didn’t get stung in the face????

Wow!!!!!!!
Hope you are feeling better soon!!!

Looks like he got one in or near his eye. I have eye drops for him. I took 7. 5 on my arm and 2 on my ankle. Through the socks. They weren’t messing around.

 

[Tom]

I don't know who said they can't move backwards, but they most certainly can. I have one who walks backwards every night when I tap her to get her to go into the night house. The other ones all get up and lumber home, but this one backs up at me every night. Now I just tip the Rubbermade cart down behind her, give her a tap, and she backs right into the cart for me. Easy Peasy.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Now I just tip the Rubbermade cart down behind her, give her a tap, and she backs right into the cart for me. Easy Peasy.

That is too cute🥲

 

[ryan57]

I don't know who said they can't move backwards, but they most certainly can. I have one who walks backwards every night when I tap her to get her to go into the night house. The other ones all get up and lumber home, but this one backs up at me every night. Now I just tip the Rubbermade cart down behind her, give her a tap, and she backs right into the cart for me. Easy Peasy.

He RAN. Like videos of them ramming something (which he thankfully doesn’t do yet). Same speed but backward. For about a length of plywood and a half. Couldn’t believe my eyes. Until I had dozens of bees attacking me.

He cant make burrows because of the bees. I’ve got to bury something with a floor and lid that I can open to make sure it’s good.

I don’t think it will always be like this but we just did a shingle reroof job and I know that some were disturbed when installing the new drip edge.

 

[wellington]

I don't know who said they can't move backwards, but they most certainly can. I have one who walks backwards every night when I tap her to get her to go into the night house. The other ones all get up and lumber home, but this one backs up at me every night. Now I just tip the Rubbermade cart down behind her, give her a tap, and she backs right into the cart for me. Easy Peasy.

I remember years ago, someone said tortoises can't move backwards. I don't remember who. I never believed it cuz I watch my own do it even as a hatchling and now as adults.
I have one that will do that. But being a leopard, I can just push him in