Sir Prince is spoiled

sir prince

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
36
Sir Prince came home with me back in July. He now is the center of attention. I have read the tortoise shouldn't be handled well I do. Prince has a habitat well equipped but there is an opening and he comes out daily. Sunbathes and follows me or my voice I should say. I hold him, pet his head and he respondes by reaching his head out to me. I put him on my chest and he burrows into my neck. I hand feed him sometimes. I guess I just wanted to share how he is truly my pet.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Yeah, I'm not one to recommend no handling. I believe the more you handle, the less afraid they get and if it should ever have to see a vet, they will have an easier time examining. Your little one is doing the same thing my first leopard did when he was little. I can still touch his legs, head, neck, tail without a fuss from him.
 

sir prince

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
36
That is true Prince is not disturbed by company so guess that's a good thing. Glad to hear someone else does this my friends think I'm nuts.
 

cmacusa3

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
3,191
Location (City and/or State)
Bixby
I agree with Wellington. How old is he and any pics of him?
 

Big Charlie

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
2,801
Location (City and/or State)
California
I make a point of touching Charlie nearly every day. I believe his life will be more enjoyable if he isn't afraid of me.
 

Tidgy's Dad

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
48,238
Location (City and/or State)
Fes, Morocco
I agree with all of the above.
I handle my Tidgy very often and am certain she enjoys head and shell rubs and is now not afraid of me at all.
However, I still allow her plenty of time in her own space so she knows she has somewhere that is hers and she can feel is her territory.
 

SarahChelonoidis

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2015
Messages
1,895
Location (City and/or State)
Toronto, Canada
Looks like you have a full grown Russian there! Probably quite a bit older than a year - great looking shell.
 

Carol S

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
2,721
Location (City and/or State)
Alta Loma, CA
When my Russian tortoises hatch I handled them every day and talk to them as they go about their business in their enclosure. When they are a few weeks of age they no longer go into their shells when I pick them up. They allow me to touch their heads and legs without going into their shells when they are a little older, and by the time they are old enough to be sold they are very outgoing and settle into their new home right away. So I think that handling them makes them a better pet.
 

sir prince

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
36
Yeah Prince doesn't go in his shell when I handle him. When I have company he will continue about his business but they don't try to pick him up. I think it's great so many agree on this the tortoise really has a personality.
 

Tidgy's Dad

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
48,238
Location (City and/or State)
Fes, Morocco
Can you estimate by his size?(in the picture)
No, it is impossible to judge a tortoises age by his size, the only way to know for sure is if you have a hatch date. They grow at different rates and can vary in size quite a lot.
And pet stores seem to sell adult Russians claiming they're youngsters, probably because they're small for a tortoise species.
 

sir prince

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
36
Thanks. I think he has grown some of my friends don't think so. He's like 5x4 will he get bigger. I thought they (Russian males) got at least12x 10 or so?
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
Moderator
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
28,938
Location (City and/or State)
South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
I'd handle mine more if I had more time.
Let me warn you against little kids holding tortoises, though.
Tortoises will wiggle and kick and a small hand will have a difficult time hanging on.
Falling to the ground or onto a hard tile floor will be a bad thing.
So for adults, handle. For small children, touch only or sit on the ground with it.
 

sir prince

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
36
I'd handle mine more if I had more time.
Let me warn you against little kids holding tortoises, though.
Tortoises will wiggle and kick and a small hand will have a difficult time hanging on.
Falling to the ground or onto a hard tile floor will be a bad thing.
So for adults, handle. For small children, touch only or sit on the ground with it.
I do have a 2yr old grandson and I don't let him pick him up or my mother cause she's afraid of him one movement she'd drop him lol
 

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
19,698
Location (City and/or State)
CA
male Russians reach full size around 5-6 inches rarely do they go above that, but it can happen. Female tortoises on the other hand can reach 8, 10 or 12 inches no problem. The problem with ageing a tortoise is once they reach their maximum size they stop growing but they contimur to age, so a male Russian could be 6 inches and 10 years old, 30 years old, or 50 years old or more.
 
Top