SHE ATE FROM MY HAND!!!!!

[Moozillion]

I know that feeding torts by hand is a little controversial, but as a first time tort owner I was TRYING not to be disappointed that Elsa is still very shy and fearful of me after living with us us a month (and two days, but who's counting?). This morning I slept in and when I went in her room, she had dug out and was standing by her empty food slate looking forlorn. Heaven forbid she would be disappointed in me, so I dashed to the kitchen, warmed up some greens under warm water and set the bowl on her slate. I picked up a leaf of the soft red lettuce and offered it to her: she chowed down!!!! HappyDanceHappyDanceHappyDance!!!!

 

[arotester]

i am not a great fan of hand feeding but i doesn't matter until the tort is in good hand like yours!!!
have a happy tort dance

 

[Moozillion]

Thank you!!! I don't intend to make hand-feeding a regular practice, but it warms my heart to have ANY sign of acceptance from her. I should be good for another few weeks.

 

[mainey34]

This is great...the bonding has begun. Oh so much fun...enjoy every moment of it.

 

[Jacqui]

It is such a delight to read your posts. You take such joy and have such wonder in the little things, it just never fails to bring a smile to my face. I am so glad you are enjoying this grand new adventure your on. Thank you for sharing these moments with us.

 

[mira_kaylee]

I didn't know that there was controversy over feeding by hand....i feed my little ones by hand all the time they eat just fine from the dish as well so I've never seen any problem with it

 

[Baoh]

I do not think there should be any real controversy. I am not a fan of it because I do not want to get bitten, I do not want my family members to get bitten, and I do not want my visitors to get bitten. Also, when I do little educational excursions, I do not want those kids being bitten.

However, hand-feeding is fun and if you are careful about it, you are less likely to get bitten, so it is not "wrong" or anything to do it if you like it. If you enjoy it, have at it and have fun.

 

[bigred]

Nothing wrong with hand feeding. My little torts will wait on the food if Im taking to long

 

[yagyujubei]

Eating FROM your hand is much better than eating OFF your hand.

 

[Moozillion]

Thank you all for your wisdom, experience and encouragement! It really is a wonderful adventure!

 

[lynnedit]

I like occasionally hand feeding mine, especially Optunia cactus (which is hard to get a grip on unless it is connected to a plant, lol).
Congratulations, that is very exciting!

 

[BodaTort1]

I love to sit on the ground in the middle of the pen and having my torties all around me nibbling on greens and taking turns eating cactus from my hand. It is definitely a great bonding experience but one that takes all your attention. I can't imagine not having that time with my torties... It erases all the work week drama away.

 

[Tortus]

This thread made me chuckle because when my leopard was a hatchling it would eat from my hand during its morning soak. Now when I try to offer it something it just looks at me all pissed off. "What is that! Get out of my face I'm pooping here!"

 

[Yellow Turtle]

Congratulation, you finally did it

It's wonderful to read your post and Yay, DanceDanceHappyDance!!!!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I didn't know that there was controversy over feeding by hand....i feed my little ones by hand all the time they eat just fine from the dish as well so I've never seen any problem with it

The controversy about it is that sometimes the tort will get over-excited and bite your finger. Just watch your fingers and if the tort gets too excited, say "No!" loudly and remove the food item.

It'll soon make the connection...tortoises are plenty smart like that.