any one here got a tortoise ive had elvis(i know funny name) for about 37 years and the last 4 0r 5 he seems to be getting quite aggresive, he headbuts certain things in the garden, and goes for your toes even taking a bite of my dogs leg, is this frustration or protecting his property forget about jaws he is lethal!
2006-09-06 11:08:24 · 18 answers · asked by toyah01 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
This is pretty common in older tortoises (middle age by his standards!) It may be burning off excess testosterone (lack of a mate or a rival to help burn it off).
Some torts are just really aggressive, especially as adults. This includes the African Spurred (Geochelone sulcata), Gopher, Indian star, Galapagos, Marginated, etc.
I have never seen a good article on dealing with this, other than simple isolation and/or plenty of room. No solid ideas on diet (with dogs, for example, you can sometimes reduce aggressiveness by going to a lamb-based food), etc.
If he is butting certain items, maybe removing or shielding them might help. Is the turtle at risk of injury from the bashing? You might need to make some adjustments to protect it.
Good luck!
2006-09-07 03:55:04 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had tortoises. Your question can't properly be answered unless you say what kind of tortoise you have.
I have had Leopard Tortoises and Greek Tortoises as well as Gopher Tortoises and Herman's Tortoises. They never got aggressive but I do know a guy in Fallbrook who has some rescued Galapagos Tortoises and one called Jaws can be a real handful. He bites a bunch but if you approach him with food he gets less edgy.
The best source for herpalogical help outside of the San Diego Zoo is LLL Reptile. They are based in Oceanside, CA and run several publications like Vivarium and they have a few stores. Their reptiles are always in impeccable condition and they know everything about reptiles. I have tried stumping them and they know their stuff! Go to LLL Reptile on-line or you can call them at 760-439-8492. If they can't answer it directly they can give you names of experts throughout the States.
Someone that is a sales clerk may pick up the phone so you need some patience. Good luck and enjoy your tortoise for decades to come.
2006-09-06 12:16:50 · answer #2 · answered by The One Line Review Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No but our friend has 3 in his garden. Not sure why it should suddenly change but maybe it is ill or just unhappy about something, or even just getting on abit but to a tortoise 37 is still quite young. Have u asked a vet? I will ask my friend next time i speak to him. I do know they are not as slow as a lot of people think. My friends chased us but wasnt agressive.
Good luck.
2006-09-06 11:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have either a Sulcata or Golapagos's (probably misspelled from Golapagos Islands, Your tortoise I'm assuming is a male and it sounds to me that he has reached the ripe young age of breeding. They become very aggressive and do alot of grunting and groaning as well. Females need to be at least 18 to 20 yrs old before they are mature enough to breed. They can hold their eggs internally for many years before they actually lay them since they wait until they know that where they lay their eggs are safe.
2006-09-06 16:32:08 · answer #4 · answered by Addy M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a girl friend. Or boyfriend as the case may be. He is sexually mature and hurting for love.
Go to Lowe's and get some of the little decorative garden edgers. You know, the ones that you put around flower beds to look pretty. Make a little pen out of something sturdy enough to hold him. No more sneak attacks.
Good Luck
2006-09-06 11:16:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the tortoise chat room where people who may care about you having a tortoise will be happy to chat.
Except for all the other people on here who are about to (sadly) answer your question.
Peace and Love
2006-09-06 11:12:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tortoise in Georgia are illegal to keep. They are protected by Federal Law.
2006-09-06 11:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My friend has tortoises....one of them is 70...she went missing then they found some eggs.....the vet said throw them in the bin...at her age they won't be fertile......now we have babies !!!
Never heard of them being aggresive...just give your vet a quick ring...they will tell you if it's normal or not xx
2006-09-06 11:22:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had 5 but i got rid of them all it was way to much and they needed more room. i had them in a single car garage but all tropical settings. i had real plants white sand a water fountain it was cool looking and thay use to do exactly what your describing they would always hit the walls and drag themselves against it. i'm glad i got rid of them
2006-09-06 13:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have tortoise's got teeth or did it gum your dog. lol
2006-09-06 11:11:59 · answer #10 · answered by SIMON T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋