Is my tortoise scared of me?

BirdieF18 · 18-05-2012, 08:51 PM

Hi i don't know what to do. I had got ton my horsfield from quite a bad owner who she was always trying to bite he told me she was quite a nasty one but when i had her i thought she was quite pleasant she doesn't bite me, I can scratch her head, I can hand feed her, I can pick her up without any stress. The only problem is when ever i go over to her she always pulls her head in and it takes a few seconds for her to come out again this is when i bring her food, I bring her new water, i take her to her bath. Is she scared of me or is she just startled easily. I was told she would stop this after a few months and i have now had her for 5 or 6 months.

Thanks

Watermelon · 18-05-2012, 08:56 PM

Maybe she is still startled easily? It doesnt sound like she is scared of you if you can stroke her head/tickle her under her chin etc. It sounds like youve done a good job if she used to be 'nasty' with her previous owner. She must like you.

My two little ones I only got them in March but they are still startled sometimes when my hand goes in! My two bigger ones I've had for almost a year now and they couldn't give a hoot if my hand goes in the table or near them.

Maybe it'll take a little longer?

BirdieF18 · 18-05-2012, 09:14 PM

Thanks it makes sense now i think about it. I would be scared t if a big hand came reaching over by me.

cherylahutch · 18-05-2012, 09:21 PM

Elvis does this as well He is not frightened of me think it's maybe just a surprise sometimes. I am not 100% sure but don't think there hearing is the best. i read they hear low level things better so maybe they just don't hear us coming and they get a surprise.

johnsy · 18-05-2012, 10:44 PM

wor T is startled by shadows sometimes lol, iv seen him try to bite my foot's shadow in poor light lol

Horace2 · 19-05-2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirdieF18

Hi i don't know what to do. I had got ton my horsfield from quite a bad owner who she was always trying to bite he told me she was quite a nasty one but when i had her i thought she was quite pleasant she doesn't bite me, I can scratch her head, I can hand feed her, I can pick her up without any stress. The only problem is when ever i go over to her she always pulls her head in and it takes a few seconds for her to come out again this is when i bring her food, I bring her new water, i take her to her bath. Is she scared of me or is she just startled easily. I was told she would stop this after a few months and i have now had her for 5 or 6 months.

Thanks

I have had Horace for 3 years and whenever I go near him he puts his head in. I call him and he comes to me, BUT his head goes in if I try to pat him.
I bet he is telling me to do one.
I know if I was kept on a table, let out when the weather was good, I would do more then put my head in

I love Horace, he is very well, BUT he would be better if he was in the wild to have the freedom to move around and meet a lovely "lady"

WriterNick · 20-05-2012, 02:44 PM

As the others have said, he is probably just a little startled initially then when he realises that it's you he is fine. If I could pull my head in and out I would be doing it all the time as a party trick

18-05-2012, 08:51 PM	#1
BirdieF18 Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 198	Is my tortoise scared of me? Hi i don't know what to do. I had got ton my horsfield from quite a bad owner who she was always trying to bite he told me she was quite a nasty one but when i had her i thought she was quite pleasant she doesn't bite me, I can scratch her head, I can hand feed her, I can pick her up without any stress. The only problem is when ever i go over to her she always pulls her head in and it takes a few seconds for her to come out again this is when i bring her food, I bring her new water, i take her to her bath. Is she scared of me or is she just startled easily. I was told she would stop this after a few months and i have now had her for 5 or 6 months. Thanks __________________ Three cats-Mitzi, Tilly, Luna Two dogs-Cara, Brodie Two Horses-Ruby, Murfy One budgie-Poppy One Horsfield Tortoise-Pumpkin One Nosy Ankarea Panther Chameleon-Boggles

18-05-2012, 09:14 PM	#3
BirdieF18 Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 198	Thanks it makes sense now i think about it. I would be scared t if a big hand came reaching over by me. __________________ Three cats-Mitzi, Tilly, Luna Two dogs-Cara, Brodie Two Horses-Ruby, Murfy One budgie-Poppy One Horsfield Tortoise-Pumpkin One Nosy Ankarea Panther Chameleon-Boggles

18-05-2012, 09:21 PM	#4
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	Elvis does this as well He is not frightened of me think it's maybe just a surprise sometimes. I am not 100% sure but don't think there hearing is the best. i read they hear low level things better so maybe they just don't hear us coming and they get a surprise. __________________ Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. .

18-05-2012, 08:56 PM	#2
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	Maybe she is still startled easily? It doesnt sound like she is scared of you if you can stroke her head/tickle her under her chin etc. It sounds like youve done a good job if she used to be 'nasty' with her previous owner. She must like you. My two little ones I only got them in March but they are still startled sometimes when my hand goes in! My two bigger ones I've had for almost a year now and they couldn't give a hoot if my hand goes in the table or near them. Maybe it'll take a little longer?

18-05-2012, 10:44 PM	#5
johnsy Member Egg Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gateshead Tyne&Wear Posts: 85	wor T is startled by shadows sometimes lol, iv seen him try to bite my foot's shadow in poor light lol

20-05-2012, 02:44 PM	#7
WriterNick Member Juvenile Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 956	As the others have said, he is probably just a little startled initially then when he realises that it's you he is fine. If I could pull my head in and out I would be doing it all the time as a party trick

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)