New to community - please help (Russian Tortoise)

[Anastasia 22]

is he a russian? did you pet his shell? maybe i’ll start doing that

He is Russian. I rub his shell, his legs and the top of his head (extremely gently).

 

[sarahandshelldon]

He is Russian. I rub his shell, his legs and the top of his head (extremely gently).

that’s adorable, okay so when you first started did he fight it and you just did it everyday and now he loves it?

 

[Anastasia 22]

that’s adorable, okay so when you first started did he fight it and you just did it everyday and now he loves it?

He never fought it, he never tried to bite me but also he was not "sociable " at all. I did pet him several times a day for a couple of weeks and once he realized that he is safe around me he started to like when I touch him and rub him. But I never ever stroke his shell.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Some tortoises will never learn to like you stroking their head, since evolutionary they have learned to tuck their head in when seeing a shadow above their head.

 

[SinLA]

I believe my tortoise allowing me to scritch his head is likely as me winning the lottery.

 

[Cathie G]

I'm allowed to pet Sapphire's head or do a shell rub. He'll even stand as tall as he can for a shell rub. I'm sure he has ulterior motives though. He wants to go outside and play in his outdoor enclosure. It's spring and time to catch some rays 😊🐢