Russian communicating?

[PrincessToad]

My tortoise makes a sound almost like a bird chirping. Any explanations on what this is exactly? Thanks in advance!

 

[Tom]

Could be the start of a respiratory infection. Where are you? Does he get nice and warm each day?

 

[PrincessToad]

I live in miami! I take him for walks the warmest time of the day. He has a heat lamp on one side of his habitat that measures 90 degrees. He also has a cool side of 70. Any suggestions?

 

[Tom]

The temp directly under the heat lamp should be near 100.

Your Miami humidity might be causing a problem. Some people with leopards have trouble in humid areas too. Is the indoor enclosure in an air conditioned house? What is the humidity like inside the house and inside the enclosure? Is the substrate damp? Is there a hide box?

 

[PrincessToad]

The substrate is damp. The humidity stays in the 50s. It is colder in my house at night vs the day time. I do cover his terrarium with a blanket at night so it can stay warm. And yes he has two hide spots one on the cool and one in the warm.

 

[Tom]

Russian keepers here on the forum recommend a night temp drop. Maybe the blanket over the enclosure is making things a bit too "stuffy". Unless you live in a refrigerator, you shouldn't need to keep a russian warm at night.

This issue is beyond my experience level with russians. Send a PM to GBtortoises and ask his opinion.

 

[PrincessToad]

Thank you Tom!

 

[BodaTort1]

Not to take away from what Tom said ( I think he is so incredibly knowledgable ) When I first got my Redfoot his table had plexiglas sides and he was able to see into the Sully table and would press his nose against the sides and "chirp" at them... It was so sweet! He only did it when he saw them, never any other time. I ended up getting him a GF well actually 3 Gfs and he is so happy , but I miss the chirping. Now go follow Tom's advice! ;-)

 

[Yvonne G]

Russian tortoises make a chirping sound when they are breeding. Does he have a rock or something shaped like a tortoise that might be claiming his attention?

 

[PrincessToad]

Russian tortoises make a chirping sound when they are breeding. Does he have a rock or something shaped like a tortoise that might be claiming his attention?

Maybe he thinks I'm his girlfriend? Lol. No but all jokes aside he only chirps when he is on my chest! After I soak him I take him back to his habitat and he chirps on the way there.

---

Not to take away from what Tom said ( I think he is so incredibly knowledgable ) When I first got my Redfoot his table had plexiglas sides and he was able to see into the Sully table and would press his nose against the sides and "chirp" at them... It was so sweet! He only did it when he saw them, never any other time. I ended up getting him a GF well actually 3 Gfs and he is so happy , but I miss the chirping. Now go follow Tom's advice! ;-)

Definitely taking note of toms advise! He chirps at me! He doesn't have any other symptoms of being sick sunken eyes etc so as I was telling Yvonne I hope he just thinks I'm his girlfriend! I

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Is he making the sound intentionally by rubbing his upper and lower beak together? If so, this is called stridulation, and it is common and normal in Russians and probably every other type of turtle. The sound produced by this behavior has been described variously as chirping, clicking, croaking, or barking. I don't think the reason for it is really known, but turtles seem to make it when they are bedded down and feeling comfortable, perhaps after a nice meal. Whether it's an invitation for other turtles to come, or a warning for them to stay away, is not yet known.

 

[PrincessToad]

Is he making the sound intentionally by rubbing his upper and lower beak together? If so, this is called stridulation, and it is common and normal in Russians and probably every other type of turtle. The sound produced by this behavior has been described variously as chirping, clicking, croaking, or barking. I don't think the reason for it is really known, but turtles seem to make it when they are bedded down and feeling comfortable, perhaps after a nice meal. Whether it's an invitation for other turtles to come, or a warning for them to stay away, is not yet known.

It's usually after I bathe him! So maybe he feels comfy and does so! Haven't really studied his facial features while the chirping occurs but I sure will and get back to you on that! Thank you for the insight.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

It's usually after I bathe him! So maybe he feels comfy and does so! Haven't really studied his facial features while the chirping occurs but I sure will and get back to you on that! Thank you for the insight.

I don't think any of my tortoises or boxies have done it after bathing, but I could see how that could make them feel comfortable, particularly if the temperature is good. That could be the reason for your Russian making that noise. Again, I haven't studied this behavior in depth (and I know of no research that has), but it's just my impression that they do it when they're feeling content. In my experience, they seem to do it when they're safe in their pallet (dugout) after a nice meal.