Activity of Two Florida Gopher Tortoises

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings

@Ray--Opo asked me to upload this video of two Florida Gopher tortoises that were active in the Gleason Park area near his home. Per Ray, there is an entire colony of these torts active in the park.

Interesting aggressive/bullying behavior going on and Ray gets to watch it all in his back yard.

Here’s the video

Happy Torting

 

[Carol S]

It looks like the mating ritual rather than bullying.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Thank you @Maro2Bear ! Now I understand how to post videos and links but don't know if it is possible to retrieve a URL from my phone. Thanks again for taking the time to do this for me.
The Gleason park is about a 1/2 hr from me. It is a beautiful complex with paved walking trails. Also has a big pond full of numerous types of turtles. They say they estimate 100 gopher tortoises. As you walk the trails the torts will be right there basking and feeding.
Here is one of the torts. It's ok to pick them up. But just for a moment. This tort was calm and let me rub his head. No clawing trying to get away. I picked this one because he was just walking around. The ones basking or eating I didn't disturb.

 

[Ray--Opo]

It looks like the mating ritual rather than bullying.

If the one was trying to mate the other definitely had a headache. LOL

 

[NorCal tortoise guy]

Very cool! Wish there was wild tortoises in my neck of the woods.