Hello,
My tortoise has always done this thing where as soon as he sees me he trots over. Usually he climbs on my feet or if I'm sitting down messing with something in his enclosure he'll nestle close. He usually sticks out his neck for scratches or rubs his shell against my hand until I pet him a little. Definitely doesn't seem aggressive, (no butting or anything like that) and hes done it more and more since he's gotten more comfortable with me over the past year or so.
But lately he's added peeing to the act. He gets in close, climbs into my lap for a bit, and then starts peeing.
Is this normal defensive behavior? He's not responding in the same way he does when he's scared (head completely out of his shell and as far as I can tell he's relaxed) and he seeks me out. But while I had plenty of animal behavior classes back in school, I only know as much as to know I shouldn't jump to conclusions or personify.
Why do you think he could be doing this?
4 y/o leopard tortoise, roughly 10 inches.
Thank you!
My tortoise has always done this thing where as soon as he sees me he trots over. Usually he climbs on my feet or if I'm sitting down messing with something in his enclosure he'll nestle close. He usually sticks out his neck for scratches or rubs his shell against my hand until I pet him a little. Definitely doesn't seem aggressive, (no butting or anything like that) and hes done it more and more since he's gotten more comfortable with me over the past year or so.
But lately he's added peeing to the act. He gets in close, climbs into my lap for a bit, and then starts peeing.
Is this normal defensive behavior? He's not responding in the same way he does when he's scared (head completely out of his shell and as far as I can tell he's relaxed) and he seeks me out. But while I had plenty of animal behavior classes back in school, I only know as much as to know I shouldn't jump to conclusions or personify.
Why do you think he could be doing this?
4 y/o leopard tortoise, roughly 10 inches.
Thank you!