biter!
 

I have a 2 year old spur thighed tortoise, he is allowed the run of the patio on sunny days which i think he loves but he bites our toes and visitors toes, i'm worried as he grows this could be quite a problem! Is there any way to dissuade this behaviour?! He has plenty to eat and plenty to do...

Hi
Welcome to the forum. Although I can't answer your question! Little monster. I envisage this little tort walking round hunting for the toes. Mine haven't done this, but I did get my finger in the way of one of them eating when they were about the same age and that was a sharp bite.

KAte on isle of wight? welcome to the site - tortoises will defend their territory especially when anxious or nervous and a conservatory may throw up all sorts of things that would make him wary. You will also find they think they are food - i've heard from friends who wear red nail varnish their torts try and take chunks out their fingers. (red can present danger but also a tasty snack). You can avoid this behaviour by placing the tortoise in a secure area so he gets use to it and knows he is safe. in general terms they should not see more than 2 or 3 feet in front on them (excuse the pun!!!) , so plenty of distractions like pots, stones, bridges, tunnels, different substrates. With mine I also combine this with obscuring the external area - for instance I will place large palms and ferns so they can't see beyond the areas - again makes them feel secure and safe and or not want to continually escape. Try restricting the area and he may feel better and not want to bite later...but you have a youngish one full of energy !so don't restrict too much and as natural environment as possible which doesn't include lots of feet ! CB

I totally agree :-D

I agree that you agree Suze ! CB

Glad to hear it :-D to be honest I couldn't be bothered to write all that out, so it was easier to agree !

I don't know if this helps at all, by my Iriwn once tried to nip my toes...when I was wearing red nail polish.

She probably thought they were fruits or flowers.

Maybe if your visitors had sandals on and brightly coloured nails it could have been a factor?

She might well be a he:0)
Males are more likely to come over bite toes and shoes. Females will if they are eating and you go up to them.
Males are notorious for biting and mating with stone objects and even shoes:0)

I have just decided my Bertie is rather sweet after reading all this!