Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I have had my baby sulcata since early april. I have the enclosure, diet, etc. down pat, and it is showing slow but steady, healthy growth.

One area I am a little stumped on, is how to tame/socialize my sulcata? I want to start when its still young. But I have no idea how. It isn't aggressive or anything, but seems very scared of humans. As soon as I put my hand in the enclosure, even when putting in its food, he quickly hides in his shell. I do know they can be socialized to like human contact such as scratching of their neck, but I don't know where to start.

Please help.

By the way, I know some make them socialized with food treats. But how do you do that? When I bring my sulcata his food, he doesn't know it. He's so small he doesn't see high enough to know that's me putting the food in the tortoise pen. The walls aren't tall but are like 8 times taller than him.

I can't really do any belly, neck scratching or whatever because as soon as I touch it or even put my hand on its same level near the floor, or even walk past and my shadow is cast over it, he pops into the shell. Sometimes even makes a shrieking like sound exhaling air doing so.

Does he have a favorite food yet?
I often use a nice piece of red bell pepper.

Try stages.

1) Just leave the treat in the cage and let his eat it on his own time. Try to figure out what his absolute favorite food is.

2) The place your hand palm up flat in the cage. Place the treat in your palm so if the little guy wants it has HAS to climb on you. Keep very still. This way he'll learn your scent. If he's really comfortable there, then wiggle your hand occasionally so he knows you won't hurt him.

3) Feed by hand.

My baby russian often looked like he was having siezures as he battled his fear and simultaneously realized there was a favorite treat just inches away.

He does have a favorite food, chinese flowering cabbage.
However, he doesn't seem to like it enough to go crazy and, in his own mind, risk his life for it. My iguana would jump, climb and stand on two legs for a tiny bit of whole wheat bread, but the tortoise doesn't seem to be that fanatic.
He likes them enough that I can get his calcium supplements in him (he won't eat his normal grasses if it has calcium powder sprinkled on it, only this vegetable), but even when I leave it in his enclosure, he doesn't go straight for it. He obviously likes it more than his grasses and stuff, but not that much.
What else can I try? Please suggest something that isn't too unhealthy for them. I won't for example, feed any fruit of any amount.

OK I tried that with the cabbage and he hid in his shell. I waited for about 15 minutes and he finally came out. Looked at the food and thought for a while, but decided to gracefully walk away...

Is that a good step that he at least came out?

Yup. He calmed down enough to take a peek. He might have thought you had left, but thats not a big deal. Thats the point when you move very slowly so he knows you are there, but hopefully he won't get scared...

Try a piece of organic red bell pepper. I don't think I've ever seen a tort let one of those get away. Technically it is a fruit, but the sugars are low enough that it won't be as much of a problem as something sweeter like a banana. You might even try pumpkin...

Just give him time. If you keep providing food for him, it's only a matter of time before he associates you with food and then....well, here's an example.

I have small breeding groups of Russians, Greek's,and Redfoot's who spend 6 months outside and when I come within 6 feet of their individual pens they all come scrambling toward me like a herd of angry buffalo.

Keep feeding him and you'll get the same behaviour in due time.

Ernie

Is there any way to make him aware that I am feeding him food? Because he is very small, like about 4 inches long, and is in a tortoise table with walls that are 12 inches. When I feed him, I think he just thinks that food arrives from the sky. He doesn't really see me at all as he can't look that high.

>>Is there any way to make him aware that I am feeding him food? Because he is very small, like about 4 inches long, and is in a tortoise table with walls that are 12 inches. When I feed him, I think he just thinks that food arrives from the sky. He doesn't really see me at all as he can't look that high.

You are over-thinking this. Just slowly put the food in the enclosure while he is watching. Even if he pulls his head in.

Be patient. In time he will realize that the "Giant Hand With Food" is a good and kind creature, and then he will walk over to you or at least tolerate your presence. At 4 inches they still feel vulnerable.

But don't expect positive results by next week. Give it time.

I have hatchling russians, and I handle them regularly from the time they pop out. Even though they are tiny (1.5", they eventually realize I'm not going to eat them. I have some wild-caught adults, and they were a little harder to socialize, and sometimes they do pull in when I pick them up, but they are back out in a second.

In time all will be fine.

Well, here is what I've done for the box turtle I got as a rescue last Oct. Maybe it will help, maybe not. I let her soak for about 20 minutes in nice warm, not hot, water. I have her in a opaque plastic rubber maid thing on my table and talk to her. She get used to my voice and presence and can see me.
After doing this for a few days and she seems to be calm around me, I place her in my lap after soaking and rub down her shell, like a back message, while talking to her. I sit very still when I'm done and wait for her to come out and look around. As long as she doesn't move too far or too fast I sit there with her and talk to her. When she gets to wanting to explore Then I put her back in her setup. Over time I more to petting her more and evetually rubbing the top of her head as she sits with me.

Strawberries are a favoite treat of all my crew. They look and smell delicious and none can resist them.

I always avoid casting a shadow over her as that triggers the instinct to hide from something that might eat them. Good luck!