Russian tortoise

[fajita]

Alright guys so you now how I complain about my tortoise fajita at first it was she wasn't active secondly she was scratching at the walls and so now I've upgraded everything. She is living the life of luxury she eats normal leafy meals she has all the light she could ask for. Two hides that range in different temperatures and clean drinking water. A while back I started feeding her when she was awake and alert so she could watch me put the food in there and maybe rub 2 tiny tortoise braincells that I am the care giver and that she might warm up to me. However after tonight I am for certain that she will never be enthusiastic about my arrival home like some other tortoises. She bite tonight I was rubbing her head and then I stopped for a bit and she straight up bit me. Not to mention 3/4s of the time she runs to one of her hides at my arrival. I do not believe getting her was a mistake because she has taught me so much but now she has made me want to take on the challenge of raiding a baby. Which is weird because I originally wanted to start out with a baby tortoise but me getting excited and all I jumped the gun a little to early. So now I'm looking for a suitable home for her preferably in the indiana region because I have no idea how to ship a live reptile to someone. So if you are interested and want to ask questions feel free.

 

[dmmj]

you're getting rid of your tortoise because you were bitten? I've known people who have owned tortoises for decades they still get bitten. My own California Desert Tortoise 12 years, still tries to bite my toes every single time I'm out there

 

[fajita]

No I wrote this last night really tired and everything. Really I just want the experience of owning a baby tortoise and raising them from that age. I like my tortoise that I have a lot I really do. I just want to raid a baby.

 

[saginawhxc]

I know you won't want to hear this, but if your impulsive enough to get this tortoise and you are already looking to rehome it, then maybe you really need to rethink the whole tortoise thing.

As for the tortoise biting you. They are not domesticated animals. They are wild animals that we decide to keep and take care of. Some of them are going to bite. Some of them literally attack and ram their long term care takers. Some of them appear docile and friendly. Ultimately they are just wild animals in captive situations.

 

[JoesMum]

I know you won't want to hear this, but if your impulsive enough to get this tortoise and you are already looking to rehome it, then maybe you really need to rethink the whole tortoise thing.

As for the tortoise biting you. They are not domesticated animals. They are wild animals that we decide to keep and take care of. Some of them are going to bite. Some of them literally attack and ram their long term care takers. Some of them appear docile and friendly. Ultimately they are just wild animals in captive situations.

And they're not friendly to other tortoises, so a human getting in the way won't be treated much better.

Biting the human is less usual, but not uncommon.

If you want a friendly pet that enjoys attention then get a dog.

 

[saginawhxc]

If you want a friendly pet that enjoys attention then get a dog.

Is there something in the middle? I have dogs that are glued to my legs, and tortoises and a cat that ignore my existence. There has to be a middle ground somewhere.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hey, it's your decision. You do what you want to do. If you want to raise a baby tortoise, then go ahead and get one. But you really don't have to re-home your existing tortoise. Just make arrangements for two habitats and have them both.

 

[GingerLove]

Nooo!! Not Fajita! Give her another chance, maybe she was just grumpy! I discipline my tortoise sometimes... with a squirt bottle. Only when I'm really mad. And why not get a baby? You can have two!! You can have the experience of raising one from scratch and have an older one. You really seem like a good owner, I bet you can handle two!

 

[fajita]

I think im just going to dedicate more time to her. She probably thought it was food and i was being a little grumpy last night. Plus now that i look at her i dont think ill ever get rid of her ever. I would always wonder what happened to her and it would wear my out on the inside thanks every one for the replies but there is something special about that tortoise weather or not ive had her as a baby. I just need to not be compulsive in making that kind of a decision because of one little thing i didnt like.

 

[leigti]

Give it time. Try to hand feed her but if your fingers get in the way she will bite you. She's not being mean she's just eating and your finger didn't move in time.
And if you're looking for an animal that gives you a lot of interaction a baby tortoise isn't it. They sleep, eat a little bit, and then sleep again. You will barely see them for a big chunks of time.
They are smarter than you give them credit for.

 

[tglazie]

How long have you had this tortoise? If the answer is less than five years, don't give up. Tortoises are a long term project. Tortoises are so long term that when I hear people say dogs are a long term responsibility, I laugh. My tortoise Graecus has been with me for close to three decades. My oldest marginated tortoises have been with me for over two. In this time, you will see your tortoise come into it's own. You absolutely do not want to miss this.

T.G.

 

[GingerLove]

I'm so glad you're going to keep her!!!!!

 

[fajita]

I'm so glad you're going to keep her!!!!!

Are you on the Russian tortoise page.

 

[GingerLove]

What do you mean by "on"? I browse the Russian tortoise pages often... if that's what you mean. Russians are the best.

 

[dmmj]

also remember a baby Russian tortoises still considered wild even though it was born in captivity and it may end up biting you as well there's no guarantees with tortoises

 

[tglazie]

This is definitely true regarding tortoise temperament. You never know what a tortoise will be like until it is settled in it's environment. My oldest Graecus is a robust, tenacious beast who never hesitates to greet me when I walk by his enclosure. However, Little Gino, my main breeder Marginated tortoise, is an antisocial jerk who always stops whatever he is doing when I come around. To observe him engage in anything resembling natural behavior, I have to hide and stand still for at least five minutes before he comes to accept that I'm not going to bother him. If I get too close, he simply runs into his shelter and refuses to come out until I've gone. I'm also raising up a bunch of yearlings that are a mix of animals from various clutches last year. Every one of them is absolutely terrified of me when I walk up. They could all be grazing in the morning sun, but the second I come around them, they dive for the shelter entrance like cooters from a downed tree trunk. I mean, this is a perfectly natural way to behave, certainly. But this isn't permanent. I have this one two year old marginated tortoise from Gary B that I've named Biggins (he's big for his age, hence the name). Now, Biggins used to be just like any other baby marginated. Always afraid, always ready to run for cover at a moments notice. Now this guy walks up to me expecting a hibiscus flower, grape leaf, something I can reach and toss down to him. He's grown into a very personable tortoise, and were you to ask me last year if he would develop this way, I would have never imagined it after having watched him run away from a clover patch so that he could hide in his insulated shelter to avoid me.

T.G.