Tortoises climb for enjoyment, and due to necessity, so you may find them scaling stairs, fences, trees, and ramps. If there are sufficient footholds, tortoises may even climb walls. Tortoises […]
Behavior
What Does A Tortoise Do When It Is Scared?
Tortoises don’t display outward emotions, but certain behaviors inform us when they’re fearful. When scared, tortoises retreat into their shells, tucking away their head and legs to keep themselves safe. […]
Why Do Tortoises Headbutt? [Ramming Behavior Meaning]
Headbutting in tortoises has various meanings depending on the context and situation. As all tortoises have different personalities and temperaments, the triggers for this behavior vary. Tortoises headbutt each other […]
Do Tortoises Mark Their Territory with Scent or Urine?
Tortoises are territorial animals that’ll claim resources they deem important (like food, shelter, and mating rights), but they don’t use scent (pheromones) or urine marking to do so. While tortoises […]
Why Does My Tortoise Chase Me? [Male or Female Follows Me]
Often, a tortoise realizes you normally bring food, so it gets excited. This is a highlight for many torts, so it’ll pursue you because it wants to be fed, not […]
Do Tortoises Care for Their Young?
A tortoise’s eggs are normally buried in the sand or soil for an incubation period of 8-10 weeks. Baby tortoises care for themselves after hatching. Hatchlings live off the embryonic […]
Why Is My Tortoise Walking Backwards? [Movement + Reversal]
Tortoises might be one of the slowest-moving animals, but their movements are far from boring. You can tell a lot about a tortoise by studying how it moves. Like most […]
Why Do Tortoises Bite? (Humans, Each Other + Females)
Tortoises rarely bite their owners, even when afraid, but it does happen. The most common fear-based response is to hide in their shells or burrow out of sight. So, it […]
Why Does My Tortoise Keep Scratching The Wall?
Scratching and digging are common behaviors in tortoises. Their anatomy makes them skilled at creating burrows and hiding away in tunnels. Aside from protection, wild tortoises often dig to find […]