timmy_tortoise
New Member
Hi, new member here.
I've had my tortoise for 7 or 8 years now, and I don't remember a time when he's ever liked me. I got him from being a hatchling so I don't think it could be that he's having a hard time adjusting!
He hisses at me when I open his cage, even when he knows he's getting fed. He won't start eating until (I'm pretty sure!) he knows I've gone, although he does eat straight away if I give him a strawberry. He doesn't seem to mind if I watch him with the cage closed, but he doesn't like it when I get close. He seems to go through weird moods where he's either sulking in the corner for a long period, or he's constantly scrabbling around inside his cage. It's the same when he's in the bath- he'll either sulk with his head in his shell until I take him out or try to climb out himself! He hates being held or touched and runs away when I even stroke his shell! I will admit that I'm not around him often anymore as I'm away at college for the majority of the year, but as far as I remember he's always been this way ( + he acts like this with everyone). I'd hoped that now the summer is here I could bond with him some more, but he just hates me! I'm so disappointed in myself and I feel like I've failed as an owner I love him and I just want him to be happy!
I've had my tortoise for 7 or 8 years now, and I don't remember a time when he's ever liked me. I got him from being a hatchling so I don't think it could be that he's having a hard time adjusting!
He hisses at me when I open his cage, even when he knows he's getting fed. He won't start eating until (I'm pretty sure!) he knows I've gone, although he does eat straight away if I give him a strawberry. He doesn't seem to mind if I watch him with the cage closed, but he doesn't like it when I get close. He seems to go through weird moods where he's either sulking in the corner for a long period, or he's constantly scrabbling around inside his cage. It's the same when he's in the bath- he'll either sulk with his head in his shell until I take him out or try to climb out himself! He hates being held or touched and runs away when I even stroke his shell! I will admit that I'm not around him often anymore as I'm away at college for the majority of the year, but as far as I remember he's always been this way ( + he acts like this with everyone). I'd hoped that now the summer is here I could bond with him some more, but he just hates me! I'm so disappointed in myself and I feel like I've failed as an owner I love him and I just want him to be happy!