The Greek Arm pump!

[dielawn]

My baby Greek tortoises are doing great. I have noticed since I have had them that they both like to do this "arm pump" movement. Where they pump their arms in and out all the time. There isn't any head bobbing going on just arm pumping. They will do it whether they are by themselves basking in the heat, in the opposite corners of each other or right next to one another. Is that a territorial movement or do they just have a twitch? I feel they would be too young to be territorial already, but possibly not. I believe they are arund 3 months old? When visitors see them they ask me what they are doing with their arms, I have just been telling them that means they like you =)

 

[Yvonne G]

I have read that baby tortoises do this to aid in breathing...sort of like a bellows. Its perfectly normal.

 

[egyptiandan]

They also do it when they are nervous.

Danny

 

[Sudhira]

Mine does it in order to maintain his bulging biceps!

 

[BigBiscuit]

Mine does it in order to maintain his bulging biceps!

Is this the tortoise equivalent of "fist pumping" at the dance clubs?

 

[dielawn]

They are battling the beat when i play music!