Quick Question

[Creteloc]

I'm in the middle of researching an RT as a family pet. My question though is... do they bite? I realize that any animal can bite and personalities come into question, but as a general rule... are they 'nippy'?

I ask because I have 8 and 10 year old girls that I'd rather not have nipped at if I can help it. I haven't found answers so I figure I might as well ask the owners of some.

Thanks

 

[dmmj]

As a rule russians don't bite ( humans anyways), they will bite females during mating season. I have had russians for 12 years now and never have I been bitten.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I have never been bitten either (by Russians or any other tortoise.) A couple of my box turtles have tried to bite when I've had to give them shots of antibiotics, but never the tortoises. Most of them are very good natured.

 

[dmarcus]

I have been bitten by my sulcata but it was by accident. I was had feeding him and he was on the last bite and I didn't move my fingers in time, he did let go once he realized it. So no torts don't go after humans and if an accident happened it will probably be with hand feeding. Using something like tongs will prevent that from happening.

 

[Utah Lynn]

Use the flat of your hand when hand feeding. The other day, I was hand feeding lettuce, from my fingers, when she went for a huge bite and got hold of my finger. My bad. They bite very hard! As a rule, they do not nip.

 

[Amanda1]

Mine has only tried to nip while I was hand-feeding her.

 

[lynnedit]

Mine don't bit, but if I am holding food, I am very careful; it is hard for them to tell the difference.
The main fact about tortoises is that they are really wild animals and should be left alone, except to care for them (clean enclosure, change water, feed). You can watch them, which is fun, but they shouldn't really be played with or carried around, etc. They are actually more active and happier if left to their own devices.
That said, they are wonderful.

 

[Laura]

Dont hand feed and you shou;ld be ok.. and watch painted toe nails if you have a pen big enough you can walk in...

 

[Talka]

Sheldon bit me once, but I was giving him nasty de-worming medicine and he was very cross with me.

 

[GBtortoises]

Generally they don't bite for defensive reasons. But having said that, I have one male in particular that chases my hand, mouth gaping wide open whenever I am working in their enclosure. But there are females in there and I think he is just a bit high strung and protecting his turf most of the time!

But again, as a general rule they don't bite unless accidently mistaking a finger for food. Their bites can be painful. Despite their jaws being small, they're powerful!

 

[cemmons12]

The only time my russian or sully has biten is if they smell some sort of food on my hand. So far, its like as soon as they realize its me, or my wife, they let go right away.95% of the time its the wife, i know to wash my hands!

 

[slowpoke]

welcome....slowpoke has never bitin me and i hand feed him every chance i get , its like he knows he is getting close to my fingers and stops ... great little guy and loves it when my 11 year old daughter rubs under his chin ...

 

[babylove6635]

i have 5 and the only one that has ever bit me was my female, but it really didnt hurt it startles you more. but as a general rule they dont bite my grand kids play with mine.

 

[mango x]

My tort has never nipped me - I hand feed him a lot as well. hope you get yourself a lovely little tort

 

[Yvonne G]

My tort has never nipped me - I hand feed him a lot as well. hope you get yourself a lovely little tort

Hi Mango x:

Won't you take a few moments to start a new thread in the "introductions" section and tell us a bit about yourself and your tortoise?