Pulsing arms and head

[mayaclark638]

I've had this hermanns tortoise for less than a week and I don't know if this is normal. His front legs and head move forward and backward as if pulsing. Is this normal?

 

[Yvonne G]

Totally normal. You see it easier in babies than in adults.

 

[Tyanna]

My tortoise does this often when he's sleeping. Kinda like he is breathing but like Yvonne said nothing to worry about.

 

[Lancecham]

Very normal.
Tortoises do not have diaphragms. As Yvonne stated, it is more evident on young sulcatas.

 

[Tom]

That is called "breathing".

 

[Tactical Tort]

I almost had a heart attack the 1st time I saw my baby Leo "breathing"!!!!!
When the animals I've had contact with in my life "breath" like that it's BAD news! Lol!

 

[mayaclark638]

Oh haha! Thanks guys

 

[Melissa9987]

I think they do it more when they are nervous! My little girl did that the first couple days I got her, but once she got comfortable with me, she stopped.