Tortoise seems to have itchy leg

Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
87
Location (City and/or State)
northern ireland
My tortoise seems to be rubbing his leg on his shell, I’ve seen him do it maybe 2 or 4 times. I don’t know if it’s normal or not but it’s almost as if he has an itchy leg and is trying to scratch it on his shell. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with his substrate, but he’s not on sand or anything that could be making this happen, but he’s on orchid bark so it leads me to believe it’s not the substrate. Could anyone tell me what he is trying to do? Honestly, it could be me just being paranoid but better safe than sorry ?‍♀️
 
Last edited:

Sarah2020

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Mar 16, 2020
Messages
1,604
Location (City and/or State)
London, UK
What is it doing to make you think there is an itchy leg? Try soaking in shallow clean warm 35deg C water for 30 mins and then observe if that helps?
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
87
Location (City and/or State)
northern ireland
What is it doing to make you think there is an itchy leg? Try soaking in shallow clean warm 35deg C water for 30 mins and then observe if that helps?
He sort of pulls his leg against his shell, it’s really hard to explain honestly. I also give him a soak every day.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Could you be misinterpreting the action? Could he be scraping the substrate and flinging it over his back?
 

Sarah2020

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Mar 16, 2020
Messages
1,604
Location (City and/or State)
London, UK
Ok good your soaking. Maybe there is something living in the substrate replace substrate and deep clean and replenish new. You could try inspecting the leg to see if it is rubbing on the shell, previous posts have had shell rub. Also check temperatures and try giving him a slate to lie on under the heat. They like to stretch out. Just suggestions. Others may have ideas.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2021
Messages
87
Location (City and/or State)
northern ireland
Ok good your soaking. Maybe there is something living in the substrate replace substrate and deep clean and replenish new. You could try inspecting the leg to see if it is rubbing on the shell, previous posts have had shell rub. Also check temperatures and try giving him a slate to lie on under the heat. They like to stretch out. Just suggestions. Others may have ideas.
Thanks for the advice. I don’t think it’s anything to do with the substrate as i recently changed his substrate and it’s a completely different one now and he was doing it before it was changed. Also his temps are normal.
 
Last edited:
Top