Sulcata behavior question

[DaveTheDadHaileeTheDaughter]

Hi all as you know we got the two sulcatas a few weeks ago, all is going great, they are active, eating good (both have gained over an ounce since we've had them) but have a question that we've not been able to find any information on: About a week ago, the smaller of the two did this but tonight the larger one did it three times pretty aggressively, let me explain what im talking about, Ive been feeding them bits of their dinner by hand they usually take it an gobble it up, but like I said the one did it last week and tonight the other, instead of taking the food from my hand they quick as lightning suck their head in and lunge/run forward ramming my hand with the front of their shell. The one tonight actually knocked the food out of my hand. Any ideas why they are doing this?

 

[Az tortoise compound]

In my opinion, it's just a sign of a healthy, active, stubborn and agressive Sulcata. Exactly as they are supposed to be. As to why, not sure except that they might think you are competition for the food (instead of realizing you are the provider) or invading their space. It's nothing to worry about

 

[Tom]

Normal sulcata behavior. They won't do that if you just put the food down or hold it a few inches away from them and let them walk to it. They are trying to tell you to get out of their face.

 

[ISTortoiseLover]

Wow that is cool. Mini ninja turtles are Wat ya got there Dave. Extremely interesting how captive bred sullies have that behaviour/instinct/trait. Us humans are sorta like captive bred, but i doubt we'd have anything like them animals.

 

[Becki]

I have never hand fed my sulcata. After reading about Bob biting Maggie I don't want mine associating fingers with food.

 

[Laura]

what is cute now is NOT cute when they are 50 100 pounds..
I would not encourage the behavior..

 

[moswen]

haha how cute! i agree with laura though, it won't be so cute when they're ramming the crap out of your calf! everyone else already covered the possible "whys" though, so i'll just agree and laugh about it.

 

[matt41gb]

My 100 lb sulcata does that if I get in his way. I have to hold him back when I show him to children. He's almost broken my ankles before.

-Matt

 

[DaveTheDadHaileeTheDaughter]

Normal sulcata behavior. They won't do that if you just put the food down or hold it a few inches away from them and let them walk to it. They are trying to tell you to get out of their face.

That was what confused me, last week when the smaller one did that I had put the food down in front of her, tonight the first time I was at the opposite end of the enclosure (its six foot long) and the larger one came walking towards me quickly ( I had a piece of dinner in my hand) so I figured it was hungry, got up to my hand smelled the food an wham LOL I was just curious on the behaviour the only other ramming id read dealt with adult males and females Thanks again for your help

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Hi all as you know we got the two sulcatas a few weeks ago, all is going great, they are active, eating good (both have gained over an ounce since we've had them) but have a question that we've not been able to find any information on: About a week ago, the smaller of the two did this but tonight the larger one did it three times pretty aggressively, let me explain what im talking about, Ive been feeding them bits of their dinner by hand they usually take it an gobble it up, but like I said the one did it last week and tonight the other, instead of taking the food from my hand they quick as lightning suck their head in and lunge/run forward ramming my hand with the front of their shell. The one tonight actually knocked the food out of my hand. Any ideas why they are doing this?

Thank you everyone I was lost as why what whatever only thing we'd ever read as to ramming pertained to adult males/females wasnt sure as why they did this we'll have to be more carefull handfeeding. Thanks again, each day is a new learning experiance with these two but so far so good we spend most of our night between the indoor koi setup and the tortoises so it completely awesome...... Thanks again !!

 

[Yvonne G]

haha how cute! i agree with laura though, it won't be so cute when they're ramming the crap out of your calf! everyone else already covered the possible "whys" though, so i'll just agree and laugh about it.

Its not your calf, though. They usually get you on your shin and it hurts like hell!!