oes your tortoise constantly retreat to a corner of their enclosure? If so, what do they do once they get there? Dig? Scratch? Hunker down? Some of these behaviors may look pretty cute, but might actually be cause for concern, or for immediate change to your tortoise’s habitat. Why does my tortoise go to the …
Has your tortoise ever taken one look at you, seemingly in the same mood as usual, but then squared up and ran right at you? It can be an intimidating experience to go through, especially if your tortoise is generally slow, docile, or standoffish. However, this is generally just normal tortoise behavior, especially for hungry …
Sometimes on a hot day, you might check on your tortoise only to find that your beloved pet has submerged their head fully into their watering dish. Your tortoise might not even be moving, which can definitely shock some new tortoise owners the first time they see it! However, as long as you’ve made sure …
Have you ever taken a close look at your pet tortoise’s waste, expecting to see the normal urine and feces that generally comes with having pets, only to find clumps of white discharge mixed in with your tortoise’s urine? The first time you experience this it might come as a bit of a shock, since …
Even if you’ve seen your tortoise backpedal while swimming, it might be strange to observe them walking backwards, whether it’s within their enclosure or outdoors. This behavior, while it may seem odd or funny, is pretty normal and usually nothing to worry about! So why is my tortoise walking backwards? Tortoises walk backwards to get …
If your tortoise appears to be teary-eyed or is making crying sounds, you might wonder if it is normal or if something more serious is going on. Tortoises “cry” for a variety of reasons, some of which are absolutely natural and others that should be taken more seriously. So why is my tortoise crying? The …
Maybe you’ve noticed your tortoise trying to climb the walls of its tank as if it’s trying to escape, or perhaps it’s been digging or pacing nonstop. This behavior can be worrying for many tortoise owners, but there are some simple measures you can take to keep your pet from feeling restless. So why is …
Many pet tortoises will pace, tracing the same path around their enclosure, for hours on end. So why is your tortie engaging this maddeningly repetitive behavior and how can you get them to stop? Why is my tortoise walking in circles? Your tortoise is walking in circles because they are bored, understimulated, or their enclosure …
Have you ever noticed your pet tortoise eating dirt, soil, or even bits of stone and rocks, either while inside a terrarium or outdoors? If so, you may wonder if this is normal tortoise behavior, or if it warrants a call to your veterinarian. Why is my tortoise eating dirt? Your tortoise is eating dirt …
Turtle shells come in many varying colors, patterns, and designs. But if you notice a sudden change in the shades of your turtle’s shell, you may be wondering if there’s a problem with your pet. So why does my turtle have gold spots? Gold spots appear on a turtle’s shell when its scales are in …
