Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am one majorly confused potential tortoise owner. I would like a tortoise - a small tortoise - for my classroom, but primarily as my own pet. Yes, I've done the necessary research and covered all the bases... I actually did my master's project on companion animals in the classroom.

One thing I cannot figure, however, is tortoise personality. I just read an article that described GTs as "puppylike personalities," and have heard all three described as "friendly." But... what on earth constitutes "friendly" in a tortoise?

I know a friend's Redfoot, Henry. When I stop in to chat with Henry, he turns towards me, walks over to the side of the enclosure, and starts pooching his neck in and out. I am thinking that means, "Hiya, Chris - glad to see you! Got a strawberry on you, by any chance?" I can deal with that... but I kinda also like to touch my pets, and while I know that bigtime handling and carrying of tortoises is a no-no, do they like to be gently stroked at all? Maybe around the head or neck, where it might occasionally be itchy?

Please... help me get a handle on personality. I've been a mammal person up to this point... rats, gerbils (link below), cats, dogs... and a non-mammalian personality is alien to me.

Thanks!

Chris
Link

I've had several russian tortoises over the last 10 years. Some were wild-caught animals that I adopted or purchased, and several were hatchlings from the wild-caught animals I had.

The wild-caught animals all learned to associate me with food and would come toward me when I approached the pen. All would allow me to hand-feed them. All except one male would allow me to touch them without withdrawing most of the time. That one male would always come charging toward me when I approached, but chickened out when I reached down.

The hatchlings would eventually become bored with me, and are relaxed with me all of the time. I usually keep them indoors for the first year or two and then put them out in a pen.

So I think that with patience and regular interaction you could get a russian tortoise to be a reasonably good pet. And by that I mean he might come over when you approach, allow you to touch his shell and neck, and eat from your hand.