Do smaller tortoise enjoy petting?

[BH-Tortoise]

Hello forum

As I understand large tortoises, such as sulcatas do enjoy being stroked and rubbed in different ways.

I'm just wondering if small tortoises do aswell?

I have a greek spur thigh which is just over 1 year old and is about 3-4" long and I am wondering whether he enjoys being stroked and scratched?

Thanks,
Ben.

 

[ascott]

I would say without a doubt....yes. with that said...I believe it is up to the individual tortoise

 

[african cake queen]

hi i have a pair of pancake torts.the male wants no part of me. the female follows me around and love head and neck rubs.i think they are all different. lindy

 

[SnakeyeZ]

Depends on the tortoise. I wouldn't say that they "like" it as much as if they tolerate it.

 

[TheNorwegian]

Depends on the tortoise. I have two Hermanns, one of them enjoy sitting on my lap and love when i pet him, he stretches his neck and feet and then just lay there . My other one does not love it, but he does not hate it either...

 

[pandacakes]

With my leopard it depends where... head and front of shell are a yes but if you pet him towards the back of his shell he gets angry and runs off lol

 

[dmarcus]

None of my Sulcata's like it but if they are eating they will allow it...

 

[Homerist]

my star likes the stroking under the chin and neck, but not on the head.

 

[DixieParadise]

My RF's seem to like it. I pick each one up and talk to them. They stretch their heads out and I give them each a head and chin rub. Again, don't know if they like it as much as they tolerate it.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

As has been previously mentioned, it depends on the individual tortoise...of my four, Apollonia is still a bit shy, but is "coming out of her shell" (forgive the pun ), while the other three are much more interested in being gently stroked.

 

[Lilithlee]

I noticed lately that my Russian likes it but only if it my six year old niece that is petting him. I have no idea why?

 

[arby2774]

Roger, my russian, does NOT appreciate it but Tanner, my little sulcata will stretch his neck out further when I pet him. Tanner also does not keep trying to walk away like Roger does.

 

[bakexlove]

My Russian doesn't like being pet on the head, he hisses and ducks back in his shell.

 

[cherylim]

Emrys has his days either way. Sometime, he'll be begging for attention, and sometimes I get a 'leave me alone' glare.

 

[wellington]

Mine loves anything with his head. Rubbing the top of his head he will push into my fingure and stay there until I quite. I also kiss his head and he doesn't move his head away for that either. I think he likes it

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

My 6" sulcata hates it. Always pulls in his head and limbs at the first sign of me getting too close. The tiny 3" redfoot, on the other hand, doesn't at all.

 

[JoesMum]

Joe likes a gentle rub on the chin

 

[tortoises101]

Galapagos tortoises have a reputation for enjoying neck scratches and head rubs. I have an obsession with feeling reptile skin, whether it be tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, or crocodilians. I could scratch a Galapagos tortoise all day or until my hand fell off.

 

[gopherhockey03]

Both of mine are brats. Sometimes they let me other times they like their space.

 

[Dizisdalife]

My sulcata doesn't seem to like it much either. He doesn't mind so much when his face is buried in a pile of food. He is only about 2 years old (8 inches) so I have hope that as he ages he will enjoy my scratches.