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We have only had our new baby sulcata for a day but she seems very afraid of us? Is that normal? How can we get her to warm up to us?
Scared tortoise
- Thread starter Bawbzilla
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Give her time and while your doing that, show her your not something to fear. Look at it from her point of view. She has left the security of where she was hatched, perhaps went to a pet store and was handled a lot, kept in an enclosure with no where to hide, people banged on the glass and then you came and the whole thing is new again. She is scared and stressed most likely. Your this huge creature, which in her mind means your an enemy who may gobble her up. Of course she is going to want to hide. That is what her brain tells her to do, if she wants to survive. Give her time and room to become use to her new world with you as a huge part of it.
Very common, your tort is still adjusting. Give it some time.
It could take weeks or even a month or more. You do have to give here time. Also, in the mean time read the great threads at the bottom of my post for good ways to keep it happy, healthy and smooth.
Almost forgot, Hello and Welcome
Almost forgot, Hello and Welcome
Bawbzilla said:
Just give her time.
Well yea its normal, i bought 4 babies sulcatas around 2 weeks old like 9 months ago and they would hide whenever i lifted them or got near them for their daily soaking or feeding, but now theyre like 5 inches each save for one of them whos like 3 inches, but yea back to the point lol, they will be scared until they get used to you, i have 1 tort who knows that whenever my hand goes in the enclosure that means food for them and whenever theyre outside and eating, i have to go and crouch to feed them and one of the torts gets under me for shade and does this every time i go there so i have to be careful when walking because one time i flipped it and i got scared lol im glad i didnt step on him/her so now im more careful but im glad they trust me now at least )
and whenever theyre outside and eating, i have to go and crouch to feed them and one of the torts gets under me for shade and does this every time i go there so i have to be careful when walking because one time i flipped it and i got scared lol im glad i didnt step on him/her so now im more careful but im glad they trust me now at least )
Hello and welcome. While you are waiting for your tort to warm up to you, have you taken a moment to read their care. Babies need to be soaked every day, not once a week like what is commonly repeated. And they need a humid hide, and warm night temps too.
Give it a couple of weeks to settle in, and then I find that hand feeding will often give them a positive association with you.
Give it a couple of weeks to settle in, and then I find that hand feeding will often give them a positive association with you.
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She has been eating well and I make sure and soak her at least once a day. Her name is toph pronounced Toff. She is doing really well accept she is just nervous I will make sure and give her plenty of time and space to get used to us. Thanks for all the advice.
Of course its normal.
Think about it - A tortoises body is physically designed to be able to hide within itself.
They're hard-wired to be cautious because they are prey in the wild.
The reptilian mind is slow to adapt, although it will get there eventually if you get it "socialized" to your routines.
Think about it - A tortoises body is physically designed to be able to hide within itself.
They're hard-wired to be cautious because they are prey in the wild.
The reptilian mind is slow to adapt, although it will get there eventually if you get it "socialized" to your routines.
Hi Bawbzilla:
Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!
Your new little baby is prey, and as such, will hide a lot and will be quite afraid of any giants coming near its habitat. The baby will soon come to realize that you are the food god, and mean it no harm. Just give it time.
May we know your name and appx. where in the world you are?
Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!
Your new little baby is prey, and as such, will hide a lot and will be quite afraid of any giants coming near its habitat. The baby will soon come to realize that you are the food god, and mean it no harm. Just give it time.
May we know your name and appx. where in the world you are?
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emysemys said:
My name is Zach I am in Utah. Thanks for the advice I was just over worried I guess.
Zach, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your baby. You will continue to find good advice here as you tortoise grows and changes in the coming months.
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Dizisdalife said:
Thanks I look forward to being a member of the forums.
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