It is an interesting discussion.
English is my third language and I never met the word "tortoise " in any workbooks. It was always "turtle". In Spanish "tortuga" is for turtles and tortoises.
When I took my tortoise to roam in a front yard my neighbors' kids called him "turtle ", so I...
I love all tortoises but "Russians" are my weakness. I had a Russian boy for 18 years in Siberia (not the hottest place in the world) and now I have another Russian in Texas.
He never fought it, he never tried to bite me but also he was not "sociable " at all. I did pet him several times a day for a couple of weeks and once he realized that he is safe around me he started to like when I touch him and rub him. But I never ever stroke his shell.
I started to pet my boy since the day I got him. He didn't like it first (hissed at me every time I picked him up) but now he is all about touching and rubbing. I could be wrong but I believe that when your tortoise feels safe he will act differently and he will eat better (Mine loves when I...