Tortoise aggression

Jenminer

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
44
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
My young Herman’s tortoise has been trying to bite our hands and feet lately. Very actively trying to run a hand or foot down and take a bite. This animal is a little over a year and a half old and was moved to a larger enclosure a few weeks ago, but the aggressive behavior started a little before that. I don’t know if it’s hormonal or because he/she feels more confident now or is defending its new home. Any thoughts on that?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Could be hormonal/territorial, or could be because it thinks you are food. Some of them are just this way. I don't know how to make it happen, or make it go away if this is the case. You just have to work around it.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,389
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
We always talk about Russian tortoises being so scrappy, but the same might be said for the hermanns and greeks. They usually try to let you know you're not wanted in their territory.
 

Jenminer

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
44
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
Oh well, good thing it’s a small tortoise. Still love the little brat, I’ll make a beware of tortoise sign for the enclosure.
 

ascott

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Apr 10, 2011
Messages
16,138
Location (City and/or State)
Apple Valley, California
My young Herman’s tortoise has been trying to bite our hands and feet lately. Very actively trying to run a hand or foot down and take a bite. This animal is a little over a year and a half old and was moved to a larger enclosure a few weeks ago, but the aggressive behavior started a little before that. I don’t know if it’s hormonal or because he/she feels more confident now or is defending its new home. Any thoughts on that?

If the tort associates you with food then what you describe is expected. If you are reaching into the enclosure and placing food and the tort gets in the habit of this thing that delivers food, it may then begin to do what you describe...and feed, well those can be wiggling toes or bright yummy colors attached...which would also generate the behavior you describe.

If you have ever had snakes and feed live food and do so from your hand---it is not surprising for a snake to begin to strike at the hand that feeds it....just routine and survival instincts and not generally personal... :)
 

Jenminer

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
44
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
Didn’t figure it was personal and I like the idea of my little crumb snatcher thinking I’m food instead of an invader. Although this tort will chase my cats too,,, whatever. Maybe something will change, maybe it won’t, still love the little thing. Thanks for your opinion.
 

LyndaAnna

New Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Preston
My 3 1/2 yr old suddenly started doing this, too. When I moved things or ruffled the surface in the enclosure he would rush towards my fingers and try to bite. I put it down to hormones as it was not long after this he started flashing and I determined that Daisy is in fact a male - we haven't changed his name as he doesn't realise its a girls name. haha
 

New Posts

Top