first Hermanni tortoise question

[dennieb]

Hi All,
I am a first time tortoise owner and I have a question about my tortoises front legs. She sits in her enclosure, with your head out looking around, but her front legs move in the motion of the breast stroke. She is not attempting to move forward just rotating her front legs. Is this normal? I could not find anything in my books. Thanks for any help

 

[dmmj]

Is she pumping her legs?

 

[chase thorn]

mine do that alot, if it is a pumping motion it is them breathing.

 

[blafiriravt]

Yeah I read that somewhere, they don't have a diaphragm or something? Welcome btw

 

[dennieb]

Is she pumping her legs?

I guess you could call it pumping - just kind of rotating them in a forward motion- she does not appear to be distressed and has not missed a meal - but I did not know if that was normal. Thanks for your help.
Dennie

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Dennie:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know where you are?

The motion you described is quite normal.

 

[dmarcus]

Hello and welcome to the forum...

 

[pdrobber]

welcome

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome.

 

[drgnfly2265]

Hello

 

[dennieb]

Thank you all for your help and warm welcomes. Glad to hear my tortoise is okay. I live in CT, and hope to get to know you all better. Thanks again for your welcomes
Dennie