How do tortoises deal with loss?

[TortLover556]

Hey y'all!

My Sulcata tortoise recently lost his little relative. We got them at the same time and they were from the same crew (They were related).

I was just curious if tortoises actually got sad or depressed due to loss.

And what can I do to help the poor fella if he starts to get this way?

-TortLover556

 

[MichaelL]

Tortoises don't really experience loss like we do. It won't feel any depression or anything, and if it starts acting weird it's probably because it is not used to living without the other tortoise. As in, it isn't used to having all that territory and food to itself.

 

[turtlesteve]

Tortoises are generally not social. If he is less active, it's only because he no longer has another tortoise intruding into his territory.

 

[TortLover556]

Awesome! Thank you MichaelL & turtlesteve!

 

[Maggie3fan]

the tortoise who's left is probably doing a happy dance that he's alone now...but I am sorry for your loss...

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I agree.
Not to sound like a jerk, but I'm pretty sure that the remaining tortoise is happy that no other tortoise is in it's territory anymore.
They do not think like us pack mammals.
They are solitary creatures.

 

[Tom]

Hey y'all!

My Sulcata tortoise recently lost his little relative. We got them at the same time and they were from the same crew (They were related).

I was just curious if tortoises actually got sad or depressed due to loss.

And what can I do to help the poor fella if he starts to get this way?

-TortLover556

Do you know why the other one died?