Torts Scratching Shell

[Torts]

Out of curoisity has anyone ever seen their tortoise scratch or rub the top of their shell against something repeatedly? I have a female Greek Tortoise and female Red Footed Tortoise that I have seen do this. I was thinking that this may be female behavior?

 

[Crazy1]

I have seen torts do this. Have you ever had a itch you just had to scratch around your fingernails? Kind of the same thing. Guess it just feels good. Some torts like it when you scratch their rumps and will almost sway or dance for you when you do this.

 

[egyptiandan]

Females and males do this. For females it's the tortoise version of "I have a head ache Honey" . When anything touches the back of their shell, ie a male mounting, she will do the dance.
For males it's telling another male "I don't go that way"

Danny

 

[Torts]

Thanks! I thought that this was funny, never seen it before in my Russians.