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Why Do Tortoises Headbutt? (Ramming Behavior Meaning)

Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Samantha Harris

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 by bracing their legs and ramming themselves forward, causing their shells to collide with other tortoises, objects, and humans.

Tortoises are unlikely to harm themselves by ramming each other but may flip over another tortoise. If this happens, the other tortoise may struggle to right itself.

Male tortoises headbutt each other to show dominance, court females, and claim mating rights, while gravid females ram to protect themselves and drive off threats to lay eggs in safety.

Tortoises even headbutt black items and objects, including black shoes. This happens when tortoises fear dark colors or think it’s another tortoise (or turtle).

Headbutting can be a way to vent frustration. If a tortoise is ramming you, this is usually due to what it sees as over-handling or not being fed soon enough.

Why Does My Tortoise Headbutt Everything?

Male tortoises are more inclined to headbutt things (especially black or dark-colored items) than female tortoises. Targets include inanimate objects, other pets, and people.

The behavior can have various meanings, depending on what the tortoise rams:

Ready to Mate

According to the Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, headbutting can signify that a tortoise has entered the mating stage, usually when they reach 15-20 months (or older).

It’ll have excess energy and hormones driving it to impress a mate. The tortoise will spend its time headbutting random objects to scare them off to claim mating rights for the area.

Also, it’ll burn off its frustration through activity and exercise if it can’t find a mate. Should a female be present, a male may ram against her shell with a headbutt.

Ramming shows his prowess and exhausts or knocks females into submission in readiness for the breeding process. It can last for several days as the courting rituals continue.

About To Lay Eggs

If a female has reached sexual maturity, she may be preparing to lay eggs. The signs that a tortoise is preparing to lay eggs include the following:

  • Nesting behavior.
  • Increased activity level.
  • Swollen cloaca.
  • It’s hungrier than usual.
  • Behavioral changes.

In response to her maternal hormones, she may become more defensive. This may result in butting to drive away other tortoises, pets, people, or inanimate objects she perceives as a threat.

Providing a suitable laying environment for the female tortoise is vital. This includes a warm, moist area with soft soil (or sand) where she can dig a nest to lay her eggs.

Show Authority

Tortoises can become territorial and try to establish who is dominant. To accomplish this, conflicts will break out where tortoises headbutt each other.

These ramming sessions are designed to scare, hurt, or flip over the other tortoises. Usually, once a tortoise has been flipped, the loser and winner will disengage.

When a tortoise is upside down, it’ll attempt to extend its legs to the side to distribute its weight.

Then, it’ll use its legs to push against the ground to produce a rocking motion. Once it gains momentum, it’ll use its legs to push itself over until it’s standing upright again.

The losing tortoise (usually the smaller one) will be wary of the victor and stay away.

Overcrowding

In a way, they like neighbors but not roommates. If a tortoise feels overcrowded, fights over dominance are more likely.

The tortoise will attempt to defend its personal space and drive off competition, protecting food/water resources and burrows.

Some tortoise species are more social than others and don’t mind sharing space. Some will even allow other tortoises into their numerous burrows.

However, if tortoises often fight, consider whether they need a bigger enclosure.

Never put tortoises of different species or a tortoise and another reptile together.

Food Competition

Tortoises will begin headbutting others if they fear there may not be enough food and water.

They’ll defend their resources and keep others at bay to avoid starvation or dehydration. It could mean the tortoise is overcrowded, or you’re feeding it too little or infrequently.

Tortoises establish territory and dig burrows where there are ample resources. They’re happy to share if there’s enough for everyone, but if they consider the amount too small, they’ll drive off competition.

tortoise head banging

Stressed

Tortoises are easy-going creatures that don’t need much to stay calm and relaxed. However, tortoises get stressed out by many things, including loud noises, bullying, predatory animals, and over-handling.

Tortoises require ample terrain to move around and forage for food. They can become stressed if they live in an enclosure that’s too small or lacks sufficient enrichment for their needs.

When tortoises feel threatened or afraid, they need places to retreat. They feel vulnerable and become stressed if they lack sufficient hiding places and room to burrow.

This can lead to added aggression as the tortoise tries to relieve its distress. Headbutting and ramming will be an outlet for its frustrations.

Bored or Frustrated

Tortoises lead simple lives and prefer things to remain that way, but they still need fun things to do.

A tortoise will be unhappy if it has nothing to forage for, explore, or climb. So, the tortoise will begin ramming objects, other tortoises, and even the enclosure walls to entertain itself.

It may be trying to escape to find more interesting activities. Glass walls regularly lead to frustration, as the tortoise won’t understand why it can’t get through the invisible barrier to the outside world.

If so, provide some environmental landscaping to add more visual interest. Consider adding safe plants, hideouts, rocks, or other items for the tortoise to climb on.

Why Does My Tortoise Headbutt Me?

Most tortoises headbutt their owners due to over-handling, food delivery, and frustration.

It may dislike being handled too much and want you to leave it alone for a while. Tortoises don’t mind some handling, but they’re not social animals like cats and dogs.

The tortoise may be eager to receive its food and wants you to put the meal down.

Of course, it could be breeding aggression or defensiveness if you’re dealing with a tortoise during the mating season. That’ll go away once the tortoise’s hormones settle.

Can My Tortoise Injure Itself While Headbutting Stuff?

Ramming is a natural behavior that tortoises evolved to display over millions of years. Wild and domesticated tortoises will instinctually ram and do so often.

According to the Mechanics of Materials and Structures, turtle and tortoise shells are shaped and grooved to distribute the impact of ramming. They’ve evolved to ensure this practice very rarely results in damage to themselves.

Headbanging isn’t intended to damage another tortoise permanently. At most, it should be jarring and unpleasant, perhaps resulting in another tortoise getting flipped on its back.

So, a tortoise can’t hurt itself because its shell is thick, strong, and resilient.

Of course, the risk is greater if the shell is already compromised, perhaps due to falling from a height or Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which covers a broad spectrum of shell conditions.

Shells are made of bone and keratin, with thick plates that offer additional protection. The outer ridge of the shell is designed for ramming, so it’s reinforced.

Tortoises shouldn’t be stopped from ramming. Instead, you should note what the ramming means. The tortoise may be emotionally or physically distressed, so headbutting is a means of expression.

Headbanging is common in tortoises and turtles, especially by males during the breeding season.