itchy shell....

[mainey34]

I have looked through the forum to see if this topic has. Come up before, and it has. But there was never an answer to it.
I have a 5-7 year old adopted Redfoot. All my temps, humidity, diet and exercise are good. He is out of his enclosure for 4-6 hours a day for exercise. I have noticed in the past that he likes his shell rubbed. Didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. 2 days ago i was soaking him and took a soft bristle toothbrush to his shell. He went crazy. Pushing up against it. Today, the same thing. I was drying him off with a towel. It does not matter where i touch his shell, he goes crazy. He will push. Almost like he is trying to tell you to scratch harder...anyone have any ideas?

 

[Blakem]

I have no idea, but post a video! Seems interesting.


Sulcata (Dexter)
Russian (Ezek)

 

[cemmons12]

Cooper does this same thing when you rub/scratch his shell above his back legs. It's the funniest thing to do/watch. Looks like he is on speed and dancing the night away! Would really like to know exactly why they do that though.

 

[mainey34]

Cooper does this same thing when you rub/scratch his shell above his back legs. It's the funniest thing to do/watch. Looks like he is on speed and dancing the night away! Would really like to know exactly why they do that though.

ITts not just his back, its his side, the top, the front, its everywhere...makes me wonder..do they have feeling in their shell?

 

[AZtortMom]

Cooper does this same thing when you rub/scratch his shell above his back legs. It's the funniest thing to do/watch. Looks like he is on speed and dancing the night away! Would really like to know exactly why they do that though.

Oh you so have to post video!


Life is good

 

[cemmons12]

Good question, I really have no idea. I have never seen one that does it being rubbed just anywhere.

 

[pfara]

ITts not just his back, its his side, the top, the front, its everywhere...makes me wonder..do they have feeling in their shell?

I read somewhere, though I forgot where, that they do have nerves in their shell so they do have feeling there. I'll have to find out where I read it at. It's either Madkins' site or one of Pendleton's books, I think.

 

[mainey34]

Nerves in the shell? I thought it was keratin? I thought there were no nerves in the shell??? Please find out where you read that.

 

[Mgridgaway]

Does it look like this?

http://youtu.be/qWZRGZInJkw

My big redfoot does this as well. I always thought she was trying to shake something off.

 

[pfara]

I might have to find out in the morning, but I'll find it!

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"The sensory capability of the tortoise shell deserves mention; there are nerve endings and blood vessels in the bone and the layer of epithelial cells underlying the scutes. The shell is sensitive enough to detect changes in temperature. While it is not as sensitive as other parts of the body are, your Redfoot can feel your fingers when you touch its shell."

Source: "The Redfoot Manual: A Beginner's Guide to the Redfoot Tortoise" by Mike Pingleton

Hope this helps. Typing this in the dark on my phone was super challenging and/or sucked

 

[Andrea M]

Mgridgaway that's hilarious! Really made me giggle after a long night shift x

 

[prominent-beats]

undefined

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Every time I greet my tortoises, I scratch their shell with my fingernails. Over time, they stop flinching when they see my shadow or when I get near because I do this. They love getting their shell scratched or rubbed! This is just one video I have to demonstrate their love of being petted.
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3QApr_azdQ&feature=share&list=UUE4QjnLsEP9O2usCEijMsyA[/video]

 

[mainey34]

I might have to find out in the morning, but I'll find it!

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"The sensory capability of the tortoise shell deserves mention; there are nerve endings and blood vessels in the bone and the layer of epithelial cells underlying the scutes. The shell is sensitive enough to detect changes in temperature. While it is not as sensitive as other parts of the body are, your Redfoot can feel your fingers when you touch its shell."

Source: "The Redfoot Manual: A Beginner's Guide to the Redfoot Tortoise" by Mike Pingleton

Hope this helps. Typing this vin the dark on my phone was super challenging and/or sucked

---

That does make sense..but, i have some other things that might be tied into it. Im not sure..maybe im just parinoid...he is a rescue. So i dont know much of his background. He does have pyramiding. And. A very dry shell. Doesnt matter if i keep him in 95% humidity 24/7 or not. It is still dry. Ive noticed white growth inbetween his secutes. Its not marbling. Someone had suggested it was the keritin. Just some thoughts. Other then being dry he is healthy.

 

[ascott]

Because it feels good.........is the reason that they do this jig....I have one of the redfoot torts here that love love love me to pet him.....however, there are also times that I have watched the two baby redfoots do this thing when one has bumped the other while walking past (not being aggressive but two torts meeting up in the same space).....the dance is on....so?

 

[thea lester]

OM*G! I haven't laughed that hard in I don't know how long! Lawd bless the You Tube!
Heelarryous!

If you've ever seen a turtle skeleton though, you can see there's really not all that much keratin in the scutes covering the bones. Bones are sensitive, so, I guess the shell scratchy dance kinda makes sense?

 

[mainey34]

Ok, so i just have a scratch me dancing fool...

 

[wheezysmomma]

Wheezy is addicted to having his shell scratched I swear LOL!! I have Tons of video of us scratching his shell and he goes Nuts! I'd imagine if you were carrying your house around on your back with NO way of Ever itching it yourself you'd be Mighty itchy too LOL!!