tortoise wiggling

[Angrycowgoesmoo]

Okay well I notice on like some pictures or videos when people pick up tortoises they stay completely still even if they pick it up upside down sometimes it stay still too. But everytime I pick up mine he starts jiggling and moving and squirming! He's still a hatchling well a little older then a hatchling but around that size. So is there a reason he does that? Or does he hate being picked up? I don't think he's scared of me though because I can touch his head and the rest of him and he doesn't flinch or put his head back in.

 

[Torty Mom]

Are you holding him by his shell or in the palm of your hand? Maybe he doesn't feel secure, that would be my guess.

 

[ewam]

When I hold my leopard by the shell he also moves around a lot, but when I hold him with my palm he will just sit there.

 

[Madkins007]

First of all, their instincts tell them that if they are being picked up, they are going to get eaten or killed. It takes time and gentle handling to get them over this stage. Many people feel that 'getting them over it' is about the same thing as 'stressing them till they learn to ignore it' and prefer to not handle their animals much. I don't have a strong opinion on this either way.

Next, when you DO handle it, make sure its feet are touching something. No predator picks it up that way, so it does not feel so terrifying to it. You may need to rest your other hand on top of the shell to keep it safely in place, but avoid grabbing it with that hand.

There are four main responses to being picked up...
- Struggling is an instinctive fear/stress response. Make sure the feet are supported and do not hold it for very long.
- Withdrawing tightly is also a fear/stress response. See above.
- Going limp is often a sign of severe stress (too exhausted to show the above signs), but some tortoises do it routinely. Also fear/stress, see above.
- Looking around without struggling, or 'gentle' withdrawal with some limbs and the head not pulled in tight- this is a good sign that it is acclimated to being handled.

 

[jackrat]

I agree. Just cup him in your palm with the other hand gently lying on the carapace.

 

[byerssusan]

Well thank you for asking that question. Phoenix does this also. And after reading Tom's response I see why. So thank you also Tom.