Tortoise Fun??

[Boggy]

Do russian tortoises like being sprayed with water if they are hot?

Also
I am new to russian tortoises and was wondering where are the good spots to pet them?

 

[Tom]

None of mine seem to "like" being sprayed, but some seem to tolerate it or care less than others.

Every tortoise is an individual. I don't know that any russian "likes" being petted. It seems some seek out their people for food, but where they will tolerate petting is an individual thing. Try a few areas and see what he seems to be less bothered by. Often it takes time to desensitize them to touching.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

As they tolerate it........The rear of the top of the shell. A "Butt" area scratch is what I've seen tortoises actually enjoy. They will find an object and scratch against it on their own.
If you want to be able to touch them, start early on so that they get used to it.

 

[BudderTurtle]

Where a tortoise likes to be scratched is a little bit similar from each species. My RT Koopa likes to be scratched on his head and neck just don't get to close to the eyes, it's a 50/50 chance they'll like to be scratched on the head and neck but the bigger bond and trust you have the more they will like being scratched there. Rub them too. Since tortoises can feel all the textile feels on their shell scratch and rub on the sides. I haven't found the other sweet spots yet.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Where a tortoise likes to be scratched is a little bit similar from each species. My RT Koopa likes to be scratched on his head and neck just don't get to close to the eyes, it's a 50/50 chance they'll like to be scratched on the head and neck but the bigger bond and trust you have the more they will like being scratched there. Rub them too. Since tortoises can feel all the textile feels on their shell scratch and rub on the sides. I haven't found the other sweet spots yet.

I must admit, I'm not much of a tortoise "petter".

 

[MagicGus]

my RT moves his foot if i touch it, sometimes anyway. It was just an idea though.

 

[Meeelinda]

When I spray the substrate my RT doesn't move away I guess he likes it sometimes he comes over and sees what I am doing.

 

[dmmj]

my 3 of 15 years enjoy the shower that U give them but that water is warm cold water from the faucet or hose may not be enjoyable. mine definitely do not like the Ir legs touched but they enjoy the head scratching.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

One of my RT loves chin rubs. The other one hates being touched

 

[madge1234]

I've recently changed substrates, but when I used to spray the old substrate to hydrate it, my RT would run away from the water. And not in a playful way, in a fearful way!

She also doesn't really like being petted. She'll tolerate me gently petting (once or twice) her shell right before or after she's eaten. But she tucks in when I try to pet her head.

She might be an exception, though. Before she came to live with me, she was mostly ignored (except for her food and water needs) for the first few years of her life. She didn't receive much human contact during her formative years.

 

[MagicGus]

That's sadevery tort should receive human care and attention

 

[madge1234]

Yes, it was so sad. She was the pet of a pre-teen relative and every time we'd visit, our hearts would ache for her. She was in a fish-type aquarium on top of a tall desk. Her only heat source was a heating pad attached to the outside of the glass. The ENTIRE time we were there she would scratch on the walls of her aquarium. We lost sleep over it until my husband convinced the relatives to "let us take her off their hands" (wink, wink). It's not that they were intentionally neglectful; they just thought having a reptile would be as simple as having a dog or cat.

But now she lives like a princess—happily ever after!

 

[MagicGus]

every tort deserves a nice happily ever after!

 

[awesomecs]

glad it had a good ending
my tort was bought but was also a rescue in the fact at PetSmart they said a 10 gallon cage was good enough and you could only use expensive soil thankfully I studied torts for a year and we took the cage back but thankfully they knew there lighting and there website had good true facts but the store itself.... nope

 

[Crzt4torts]

I had read that most Russians in pet stores were wild caught. That would mean they all started off without human care or attention...
But from what I've seen, many get quite personable. Maybe your rescue will warm up Madge1234.

 

[madge1234]

I had read that most Russians in pet stores were wild caught. That would mean they all started off without human care or attention...
But from what I've seen, many get quite personable. Maybe your rescue will warm up Madge1234.

That would be fantastic! I've had her for just over two years but only recently have been trying to get her used to affection.

 

[MagicGus]

glad it had a good ending
my tort was bought but was also a rescue in the fact at PetSmart they said a 10 gallon cage was good enough and you could only use expensive soil thankfully I studied torts for a year and we took the cage back but thankfully they knew there lighting and there website had good true facts but the store itself.... nope

usually pet stores try to get you to buy more stuff for your pet from them so they can get more $$$. one time i got pellets and a calcium block for my RT, but he didn't like it. so for all you new owners out there don't get to much special tort food from a store cuz your tort may not like it.

 

[awesomecs]

usually pet stores try to get you to buy more stuff for your pet from them so they can get more $$$. one time i got pellets and a calcium block for my RT, but he didn't like it. so for all you new owners out there don't get to much special tort food from a store cuz your tort may not like it.

ikr I got a calcium block my RT didn't even look at it let alone eat it I knew I should have just got cuddle bone =/

 

[sheilae04]

Mine was used to affection when I got him, and he absolutely loves being petted. My students sit in a circle and he walks around the entire circle and my students each pet his shell. He likes to be hand fed and snuggled up on my shoulder. He recently stretched out his neck and laid it on my hand when I wasn't paying enough attention to him. A nice surprise! Since then, I give him neck rubs often. Unbelievable how soft the underside of the neck is. Good luck!

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

ikr I got a calcium block my RT didn't even look at it let alone eat it I knew I should have just got cuddle bone =/

Mine wont even touch his cuttle bone its been in her enclosure for a month now