Is my tortoise walking ok?

[Eli248]

Hi everyone, I wonder if you can help me!

I've had my horsefield tortoise for around 3 years now, and he's always kind if walked on the nails of his front legs (he walks on the foot of his back legs).

Is this normal? I never really thought about it too much before until a friend pointed it out :/

Thanks!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Eli248, and welcome to the Forum!

If you'll notice his front legs, there really isn't an actual "foot" like there is in the back. It is perfectly normal for them to walk on the nails of the front feet.

 

[ascott]

Welcome to the Forum and yup to what Yvonne shared ...

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Hi everyone, I wonder if you can help me!

I've had my horsefield tortoise for around 3 years now, and he's always kind if walked on the nails of his front legs (he walks on the foot of his back legs).

Is this normal? I never really thought about it too much before until a friend pointed it out :/

Thanks!

Yep, it's normal. Russians are one of the burrowing tortoises, and probably have the longest claws of any tortoise species. They can get overgrown, of course, like in any animal, but it's normal for them to be long such that when they walk, it looks like they're on tiptoe.