Handling

[Dag^Jase]

Hey!

Feel a bit cheeky as I dont get on here often enough. But I was just wondering how often you people handle your torts?

I hate the idea of them being cooped up the viv so I tend to get them out and let them run around the living room or even just on the sofa next to me ( its leather!)

Sometimes my gf will lay on the sofa with them on her chest!!

Is this doing them any harm>

[Evie]

I think it depends on the tortoise.

Mine all love a good shell rub but I don't handle them very often.

I am sure you will get mixed opinions on this one!!

[noneedforspeed]

when mine come in for a bath on a daily basis (normallytea time) they run around the kitchen the 4 dogs just lie where ever and everyone is in one room( kitchen massive) till tea is ready to dish up ,thetort go back out to the shed the dogs out to get tea and there our dinner dished up nready no one seems bothered by the routine

[Dag^Jase]

I just like getting them out so they know there part of the family and not chained in a viv!! When i let them run around the living room they have a lil tray with chip in it!

[Eremiel]

I get mine out for a cuddle before their bath everyday.... A nice shell and head rub too. I think it helps to build trust. But i dont let them out and about in the house as i have a cat that can sometimes get to close and you never know what is on the floor from shoes and things so dont like the idea of them eatting nasty things, but they do run about outside in the sunshine!

[burnt toast]

I handle mine daily, to bath & check over & think this also gets them used to being handled, so builds trust for if you need to look in mouths etc.


I dont let mine run about on the floor for a number of reasons: I think its a lot colder on the floor, danger of stepping on them, loosing them, you dont know what they will find & eat (one of mine found a cheerio once, ages ago & wouldnt let go for love nor money!!)

But thats just my personal opinion.

[Bindi]

Like Lynn I handle mine to do daily checks but that is all.

[Easter Bunny]

I don't let mine run around on the floor because of my crazy boxer dog ( if I didn't have her I probably would).
I do give them a chin and head rub everyday and a kiss, they seem ok with it, they're not stressed and come over to me when they see me. x

[emma_mcraf]

I handle mine daily for baths and they love a little rub of their heads. I'm sure they enjoy being chatted to, regardless of whether they can hear a word I'm saying or not. If they can't hear me, they can certainly lip-read as they quite often nod their agreement!