Do Russian Tortoises Sneeze?

[HuyckB04]

I usually let Morty wander around the room a bit to dry off after his soak. He seems to really like it and becomes very active, exploring every part of the room. Today, he stopped in mid-stride and pulled his head all the way inside his shell. Then he came back out and appeared to sneeze! Is this normal for a Russian tortoise, or should I be concerned?

 

[Taylor T.]

I believe that your tortoise was scared, and quickly exhaled to make room for his head and limbs. My tortoise will do it if I suddenly pick him up. Has your tortoise done it before?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Don't be concerned, HuyckB04, my RF farts!

 

[HuyckB04]

I believe that your tortoise was scared, and quickly exhaled to make room for his head and limbs. My tortoise will do it if I suddenly pick him up. Has your tortoise done it before?

I've seen him dart back into his shell if I make sudden move, but he was just hanging out in the middle of the room when it happened. This didn't look (or sound) like his frightened recoil. It looked like a gentle tortoise sneeze.

 

[Yvonne G]

Might be too dry substrate??

 

[HuyckB04]

Might be too dry substrate??

I was thinking the same, but he was out in the room at the time and had finished his soak about 10 minutes prior.

 

[Yvonne G]

There's all kinds of bad stuff on the floor of a house for a tortoise to get into. And talk about your dust bunnies!!!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I have never heard mine sneeze, but it's really adorable to watch a turtle sneeze, it's such a delicate little sound!
It sounds like he was just scared. Tortoises (and turtles) will draw their head and legs quickly inside the shell, and to do so, they expel the air from their lungs, making a 'sneezey' sound that could be describes as hissing.

 

[ascott]

yes, tortoise do sneeze.