Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which tortoises are the most personable? We are looking into another tortoise and want a personality similar to red foots (not shy, inquisite, etc). We currently own: red foot, indian star, pancake, and hermanns. They have both indoor and outdoor pens and we can accomodate just about anything. Any advice on a good "puppy dog" tortoise?

There is no correct answer to that. It changes as they grow. For the 1st year of life my leopards were super outgoing. Now after several years they are not shy but not running up to you either. My redfoots hid for their 1st year, almost completely burying themselves in mulch. Now they run all around and nothing frightens them. They will walk right up to my golden retreiver and take a bite of her nose without giving it a thought that she is 70 lbs and can eat them for lunch. But the absolute surprise to me was my Emy. For the 1st 2 years it was about as shy as you can get. I could have gotten a pet rock with more personality. Now, 4 years old he follows me around like a puppy as Vic would say. I never ever would believe it before it happened. And its not just for food. I have tried putting food out in several piles between his pen and me and when I start talking, he comes out of his hide and walks right past the food towards me. In his outside pen I can just go out and begin talking and he will come out from wherever in the pen he is hiding and show up. Everyone else stays put and i have to search under many hostas before I find them all.
Tom

I heard that! Try building something with a few of them around,or take some pictures while on the ground trying to get a turtoise eye view.The thing is,i think its just a terratoral attack because if you dont move they will bite you.I feel their breath on the back of my foot sometimes right before a sneek attack from behind. And if you paint your toenails,forget about it! Its so funny to here you say just what mine do to me every day.They are in huge grown up 3-6000 sf.enclosures here and I can do the same as you,stand there they come out from everywhere,past the food and over it to get to me stairing me right in the eyes,a relentless forward march.ATTACK!ATTACK!the old guy. I better start using a first alert thing when I go out to the enclosures.HELP I've fall'en and got a mt.tortoise on my chest.Vic

Hmmm. So is biting something we should be concerned about? Our tortoises are all handled (2 kids who love them and care for them). I don't want anyone to lose a finger.

I'd keep an eye out.If they dont open wide when they reach you than I'd say yours arnt bitters,but mine given a chanch will munch.Vic

Your reply is intriguing since emys is what we had been leaning towards.

I wasnt sure if you already had some or not.I think they will be plenty safe as juvy torts,but a big adult could be a risk for unsupervised small children.Ive had box turtles,redfoots and others that went after peoples exposed toes when painted.My emys seem to go for about ankle high.Then theres that Mata mata turtle that just about tore my face off.And the guy that tripped over my emys while trimming my trees with a chane saw on a poll around the power lines...they can be dangerous.Vic

DOG in a shell.

Mine love to have their necks and heads rubbed