if your tort has been in your ownership for that long, it shouldn't be too terribly difficult to make friends with him... someone else already suggested hand feeding him (especially the things he seems to like the most); try petting his head as you're doing this to get him used to your touch. i'm trying to get mine accustomed to my handling his arms and legs like this, and he still gets defensive about that...



reptiles aren't really like other pets in how they "bond" with you; you have to give them more motivation than just your companionship, and one good way to their hearts is through their stomach.



also, try and be quiet, calm, and gentle around him. my tort is generally pretty tame, but a fast movement will often still startle a "huff!" out of him... let him see your hand coming. mine does the "put me down" dance pretty often, too.

[ Hide Replies ]

• My tortoise doesnt seem to like me - sacred_dragons, Mon Jul 12 04:18:46 2004
• RE: My tortoise doesnt seem to like me - Tim Madsen, Mon Jul 12 11:08:51 2004
• RE: My tortoise doesnt seem to like me - Becki71, Mon Jul 12 13:28:01 2004
• bonding with your tort - unchikun, Mon Jul 12 17:02:50 2004
• RE: bonding with your tort - sacred_dragons, Mon Jul 12 17:44:24 2004
• RE: no head, no toe, no show?...Let's SCRATCH this dude... - ecoman, Tue Jul 13 03:23:25 2004
• you guessed it... - unchikun, Tue Jul 13 20:34:38 2004
• RE: tried something else, but didnt work - sacred_dragons, Wed Jul 14 03:45:00 2004
• the infamous "put me down" dance - unchikun, Wed Jul 14 16:29:32 2004