Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Now I'm torn. I really like this large female, but she's incredibly shy. When I picked her up last week she peed all over me. When I picked her up today she peed and pooped (I'd learned my lesson and had her aiming away from me so she peed/pooped into the enclosure. She doesn't want to even peek her head out. As soon as I set her down she heads right back into her hide. The smaller ones come right up to me, very curious. They aren't babies, just smaller than the shy female. I like one of the small ones but my friend can't tell is it's a boy or girl. It's very active, was climbing over the hide instead of hiding under it, and didn't pee or poop when I picked him up. Is there any hope for the shy female? Will she come around or do you think she'll always be shy? Has anyone here bought a shy tortoise? If so, did it come around or stay shy?
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Lyns Lair
Frogwatch USA
WNY Herpetological Society

0.1 Cat (Mia)
4.2 Ferrets (Wolf, Shadow, Verdell, Sullivan, Boo, Peach)
1.0 Carpet Python (Bear)
1.0 Malagasy Blonde Hognose Snake (Wilbur)
1.0 Yellow / Everglades Rat Snake (Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Sand Boa (Fang)
0.1 Normal Corn Snake (Mysty)
1.0 Banded Water Snake (Ripley) coming soon!
1.0 Whites Tree Frog (Trevor)
2.0 Solomon Island Eyelash Frogs (Chompy & Gimli)
1.0 AFT Gecko (Cocoa)
5.6 Leopard Geckos (Trouble, Scooter, Simba, Firenze, Teddy, Nala, Mystique, Freckles, Dotty, Zipper, Twister)

Personally, I'd get the smaller one. Never buy a creature that pees on you.

You're not going to be a very good Dad with that attitude!

The peeing and pooping is a stress response.

Our first Middle Eastern Greek was very shy...he was also damn near dead when we bought him. He's as outgoing and friendly as you could hope for today. Once they get into an environment that is correct for them AND they have a consistant temp and humidity AND fed the right foods AND aren't moved for 3-6 months THEN you will have an outgoing tort. Right now these creatures need a solid application of correct husbandry. Provide that and they'll be everythign you wantt. Greek's are very friendly, outgoing torts once they get acclimated...but they need time.

Thanks. She was the first one that caught my eye when I began looking into getting a Tortoise. She stood out because she has a ring of pink that I thought was so pretty. My friend said that is new growth, she won't always have the ring. She was the first Greek Tortoise I ever held. I've handled tortoises before, various species belonging to fellow members of my Herp Club, but never a Greek, and never one I was actually considering buying. I guess it's a bit of an advantage that she empties herself as soon as you pick her up, then you know she's safe to handle after that! I don't really plan to hold them alot, mostly going to just enjoy watching them and maybe trying to hand feed them, but they will be handled when carried outside to graze. I'm hoping to get both her and the smaller active one, but I couldn't get the second one until the last weekend in June. Maybe it would be best to start with the shy one and give her a few weeks to adjust to her new home before adding in one of the more active ones? She's the prettiest one, and the biggest one, so I don't want to risk waiting on her too long in case someone else buys her. As for the active ones, I liked one best but there were 2 other ones that were very nice too so I'm not as worried about them. I'm sure at least one will be left. The store is strict on their Tortoise sales. There is a big sign saying you must have a large completed enclosure before you can buy one. Not sure how you are to prove it, but at least it discourages impulse buys for someone thinking they can just go throw them in a spare 20 gallon or something.
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Lyns Lair
Frogwatch USA
WNY Herpetological Society

0.1 Cat (Mia)
4.2 Ferrets (Wolf, Shadow, Verdell, Sullivan, Boo, Peach)
1.0 Carpet Python (Bear)
1.0 Malagasy Blonde Hognose Snake (Wilbur)
1.0 Yellow / Everglades Rat Snake (Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Sand Boa (Fang)
0.1 Normal Corn Snake (Mysty)
1.0 Banded Water Snake (Ripley) coming soon!
1.0 Whites Tree Frog (Trevor)
2.0 Solomon Island Eyelash Frogs (Chompy & Gimli)
1.0 AFT Gecko (Cocoa)
5.6 Leopard Geckos (Trouble, Scooter, Simba, Firenze, Teddy, Nala, Mystique, Freckles, Dotty, Zipper, Twister)

It sounds like you are new to tortoise keeping.
Do yourself a favor and walk away from the shy one. The chances are that the Greek is a fresh Wild Caught import. Not only will you be dealing with the shy tortoise but you are also going to have to deal with medicating it if and when it gets sick. If it is withdrawn it is stressed. If it is stressed it will, in all likelyhood, get sick.
With the out going one you will have a much better chance of acclimating it to captivity because it isn't as imprinted as the larger animal.
If you have to have the larger animal... keep it on the warm side, soak it daily and make sure it always has water. Give it plenty of hides in both the warm section of the enclosure and the cool. I'd suggest a soil substrate with hay on top of that. Check it daily for progress. When you do this gently try to get it to 'come out of its shell' and trust you. This way you can monitor it's health better.
Good luck.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I went in to look at them again today and the minute I saw her I just melted and knew she was the one. I put down a deposit and am picking her up on Saturday. Yes, you are correct, this will be my first Tortoise (hence all of my questions here recently). Luckily I have a great Reptile Vet and support group to help me. Several of my friends own Tortoises (I am active in my local Reptile Club) and I have this great forum. The way I look at it is she has to be adopted by someone, and I feel confident that I can provide her with what she needs to live a long, healthy, happy life. You were right in that she is WC, and I do have some guilt about that. The pet store has wormed her already, but I will be taking her in for a checkup and stool check just to be safe. I am very excited and can't wait till Saturday!
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Lyns Lair
Frogwatch USA
WNY Herpetological Society

0.1 Cat (Mia)
4.2 Ferrets (Wolf, Shadow, Verdell, Sullivan, Boo, Peach)
1.0 Carpet Python (Bear)
1.0 Malagasy Blonde Hognose Snake (Wilbur)
1.0 Yellow / Everglades Rat Snake (Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Sand Boa (Fang)
0.1 Normal Corn Snake (Mysty)
1.0 Banded Water Snake (Ripley) coming soon!
1.0 Whites Tree Frog (Trevor)
2.0 Solomon Island Eyelash Frogs (Chompy & Gimli)
1.0 AFT Gecko (Cocoa)
5.6 Leopard Geckos (Trouble, Scooter, Simba, Firenze, Teddy, Nala, Mystique, Freckles, Dotty, Zipper, Twister)

That's cool. It looks like you should have a good idea what you are getting into at this point. The best of luck with it.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

LOL!