Question! (head bobbing)

[brittanyelaineee]

Does anyone else have a tortoise that head bops as if they're saying "yes" mine does it all the time! She'll even head bop back to me when I do it.

 

[wellington]

RE: Question!

Yes, my leopard has done it since the day I got him and still always does. I take it as a yes to whatever I ask him. which is usually do you want more kisses, he sticks his head out, bobs it and gets more kisses.

 

[brittanyelaineee]

Question!

That's adorable!

 

[Laura]

RE: Question!

its a mating thing... usually.. or can also be a sign of aggression...

 

[oneeyedClyde]

Re: Question!

I thought it was because they are breathing, so when they breathe, their head bops... that's how mine got their names... Morrison and Hendrix

 

[gieseygirly]

RE: Question!

I thought it was because they are breathing, so when they breathe, their head bops... that's how mine got their names... Morrison and Hendrix

My leopard does this constantly - I also thought it was a breathing thing. I figured he's nice and warm and cozy, because he doesn't do it as much when he first wakes up and his enclosure hasn't yet warmed up.

My Russian doesn't do this as much; mostly when he gets a nice warm soak, he'll start doing it.

 

[T33's Torts]

My first rescue (a russian) bobs at me all the time! Thats why i call him Bob!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

There is a difference between the head bobbing while breathing and a more noticeable head bob for mating and aggression. I promise, you can tell a difference between the 2.
If your Russian bobs back to you, it's probably not the breathing head bob...

My largest Leopard will bob his head if someone other than me puts their face near his and bobs first.

My male Russian bobs at me, other people, lady Russians, plants...lol

 

[terryo]

I have noticed head bobbing (with my Cherry Head, which is the only tortoise that I have) when he is stressed or introduced to a new tortoise.