Tortoise Behaviour??

by Nicky
(Cape Town, South Africa)

My husband and I moved into a house about 6 months ago and two days later discovered a tortoise living in the garden.. We have three dogs, two cats and a monkey whom all live inside.


For the past week or so we have noticed "Charlie" wanting to come inside.. So we bring him in.. He seems to want to be my side and follows me around the house. I feed him lettuce and cucumber but he still follows me. If i sit down at my desk then he sits at my feet. he also seems to be fascinated with the rest of the animals in the house and tries to play with them..

We have found this behaviour truly odd however most enjoyable to have a further addition to the family..

Is this all our imagination or do they have social tendencies??

What does he want? Am i missing something?

Thanks so much..

Comments for Tortoise Behaviour??

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Mar 07, 2019
 Tortoise following
by: Anonymous

It's purely territorial. The tortoise chases as it wants to mate and the foot pushing and play acting is just a ritual.
Sorry to say but that is all it is, They are not like cat and dogs they are just reptiles and that is that. it sees any being as a threat or a mate.
Oct 12, 2013
 mrs
by: june

Victor my tortoise follows me everywhere and keeps pushing my foot, he is 7 years old and very tame, he loves our little dog gizzy and tries to climb on his paws.
Mar 05, 2011
 WOW!
by: Anonymous

I can't believe this, its really cool to hear that you have a pet monkey and a tortoise!
Feb 08, 2009
 Response
by: Nicky

The dogs and cats have no problem with him... He seems to chase them a bit - at first they were fascinated now they just treat him as part of the family.....

Feb 08, 2009
 Your tortoise friend
by: Shelly

The tortoise likes you. I'm glad you like the tortoise, too. I can't say exactly why this tortoise follows you, but it's safe to say it's doing what it wants to do, so you are meeting some need.

You didn't say how the other animals feel about the tortoise. Be careful that there is no fighting.

The tortoise will need more wild grasses than wet food, but if the tortoise spends time outside where there is wild food, the occasional wet treat will be OK.

Keep it slow and steady.

Shelly

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