Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My greek tortoise that I bought about a year and 2 months ago who I believe is pre adult doesnt seem to like me. When I pick him up he moves hishand and feet to try and pry me off, whenever I get close to his tub or have my hands ready to touch or touch him, he shrinks his hands in all the way, whenever hes just sitting there and i pet his head, he just shrinks then tries to walk away real fast, Although he might not like me, even if I put my fingers next to his mouth he will never try to bite me. Are all tortoises like this? or is this one just different, Is there any way you guys know of for me to gain his love? thanks

Your tortoise does not like, dislike, love or not love you. It is not capable of human emotions. What you are witnessing is a defensive reaction to a perceived threat. With time and gentle handling it may begin to not see you as a threat and then will no longer react in that way.
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Tim Madsen

Nobody cares how much you know,
Until they know how much you care.

Try hand feeding him a tasty treat. He will probably start associating your hand with food and will start coming towards you eventually. It will take some time...he sounds like he is a bit scared. Move slowly when you are near him and let him see your hand coming towards him so he isn't startled. My torts don't really like to be picked up either. My youngest just freezes and won't move and the other one does what yours does. He just wants down. Be persistent...he will come around. Good luck!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta
1 Mourning Dove
1 Feral cat (kittens on the way)

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.

Thanks for all the suggestions, is that a blueberry that redfoot is eating? Anyways, if anyone has more things I should do just keep listing. I'll try them all

...he might like it...well, since there's only a shell that he shows, whatcha got to loose? (it works better with foods!) imagine yourself came out from a massage ... yah baby, that double double, triple combo...low carbo/high fibro...dig, baby dig...

that's a little wedge of a blueberry; i believe that was taken on the first day i had him. he's been a good eater from day one, and even took food from my mom's hand.

Anyways yesterday when I was giving lil milton his bath, I picked him up along with a slice of apricot, he smelled it but then did his lil dance again to get free, maybe apricot was wrong,can anyone suggest some good treats? ALso where is the best place to stroke him? there are many parts on his head.

instead of trying to feed him while holding him (i think that's what i understand that you were trying to do?), try setting him down on the floor or the table or something and try to hand feed him while he's at least got the security of having his feet on solid ground.

try flowers... since they're colorful, that might catch his eye. dandelions, daylilies, violets, and pansies are a few i can think of offhand... further up the board people are mentioning hibiscus also. or offer a bright strawberry as a treat.