Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just thought i would start a topic on what everyone thinks is the friendliest tortoise. in my opion i would have to say the sulcata, but i am a little bias since i have only had sulcatas. so cast your vote and explain why you think this tortoise or that is more friendly. thnx

My Sulcata,Nigel, is a really friendly tortoise. He comes when I call him and loves to follow people around. If people aren't around, he'll follow my llamas around too. He's just a social kinda guy.

I have to admit that he is NOT friendly to other tortoises. He seems to HATE them.

Pamela

Sam, my Hermann tort is very friendly. He always runs over to me everytime I come near his pen. Very friendly and alert. Although I only have Hermanns so I don't know about other torts.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

It seems to me that it depends on the relationship with their owners...Also wether wc or cb...

I had 3 Chaco tortoises since they were babies and they came over when we called them... But you had to keep on calling them for a long time. I heard tortoises don't hear very well except low tones (?). They ate off my hand and put one of their "hands" on mine. They were shy with strangers though.

Toto my greek tortoise also likes to eat out of our hands. He likes to cuddle on our laps and puts his nose next to our faces. He likes to be petted under the chin. Perhaps because he is CB he is used to be handled by people? He is not shy with strangers. He also goes shopping with us in a little pull up plastic cart.

He is good friends with the cat. They sleep together cuddled up in a box lid full of confetti. When the tortoise is in his outdoor enclosure the cat follows him with the eyes. He sits next to Toto and scares the birds and anything else away -not that they would harm Toto but the cat is very protective of his little shelled friend...

For Halloween they are both sporting matching witch hats... just for a brief photo shoot of course...

Have a good weekend...

TT

A cat and a tortoise! That would be so cool if mine were freindly. I'm afraid my cat would eat them. Do you know if cats can get salmonella? Just wondering since they like to lick and clean things. You should take some pictures of them together and show the gang. I bet they are so cute together.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

Good point Becki. I didn't think about that. I assumed that because Toto is cb he will not have it. I always make my kids wash their hands after they play with pets. I should check if cats can get it.

TT

I'm sure it is totally fine. I'm just extra paranoid. Do you know if torts are born with this or do they get it from somewhere? I don't know if it is some kind of disease they can get or what.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

I was told that mainly wc reptiles can carry salmonella but usually cb don't have it.

TT

That is so great to know! Thank you. I am a fanatic when it comes to the kids washing there hands after they handle the torts. I'm sure they are just fine but you never know.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

Salmonella usually associated with aquatic turtles (res)...keep up that hands washing a ritual after petting them is your best protection

Thanks! I really appreicate the info.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat