Shy sulcata..

[Tony the tank]

Well as some know from my other post.. I have a new addition..I'm guessing 4 yrs old.. He is the shyest sulcata I have ever seen..If I pick him up it takes about 15minutes before he comes back out...If I put food in front of him.. He sniffed the food and quickly pulls back into his shell.. He does it a destined and then finally starts to eat... Is there away to help her get over her fear...

Even walking around the slightest movement..she ducks into her shell..

Previous owner told me she would disappear(get away for two or three days and one of her neighbors would find her and bring her back..

Thoughts

 

[Tom]

I've seen them that way, its just not very common. I find that in time they just settle in if you just go about your business. Just soak them as you normally would and do whatever you need to do and they usually desensitize. I find that hand feeding treats works well too. Red, yellow and orange food items tend to attract their attention and win them over. Just be patient. You may have to sit there for ten minutes waiting for him to sniff and then take a bite. Get comfortable. The more time you spend around him, the quicker he will eventually realize you are not a threat.

... and don't take it personally. Its just a tortoise being a tortoise. He may do a 180 and become the most outgoing tortoise you've ever seen.

 

[Tony the tank]

Strange i wonder why he is so skittish..Tony..the big guy.. Comes running when he sees me..let's me touch everywhere.. Never ducks into his shell..