Nesting? or playing?!

Carlos-NL

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Hi all,

I am new to tortoises so I am not sure about this behavior. She is 8 years old, but she has never been with a male. I am not sure if this is a playful behavior under the basking spot, or is she trying to find a good spot for laying eggs?

What do you think she is doing? Please share your experience!

Best regards,
Carlos
 

Toddrickfl1

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Hi all,

I am new to tortoises so I am not sure about this behavior. She is 8 years old, but she has never been with a male. I am not sure if this is a playful behavior under the basking spot, or is she trying to find a good spot for laying eggs?

What do you think she is doing? Please share your experience!

Best regards,
Carlos
Looks more like straining to go to the bathroom to me. Your tortoise does not even look big enough to be laying eggs imo. Are you sure about the age?
 

Carlos-NL

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Looks more like straining to go to the bathroom to me. Your tortoise does not even look big enough to be laying eggs imo. Are you sure about the age?
I am sure about the age and she is about 8-9 inches long, but I am not sure what behavior this is as she did that many times today :)
 

Yvonne G

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Without being able to see in real time I'm going out on a limb and saying this is a young male who has just discovered his penis.
 

Toddrickfl1

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Without being able to see in real time I'm going out on a limb and saying this is a young male who has just discovered his penis.
I had this thought too.
 

Sterant

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Hard to say from the video but the notion that's its a young male is viable. Males often scratch their plastrons like seen in the video. What made you say it was a female?
 

Carlos-NL

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Hard to say from the video but the notion that's its a young male is viable. Males often scratch their plastrons like seen in the video. What made you say it was a female?

What do you think of these pics is it she or he?
 

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bonsai tortoise

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It’s not nesting. I agree - might be a male. Or it could have an irritation that it’s itching.
 

William Lee Kohler

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Can't believe anybody thinks that's a boy! Not only small tail but flat bottom as well?. Certainly looks like my girls.
 
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