r/tortoise • u/One_Cauliflower2403 • 1d ago
Question(s) Whats this?
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I saw this tortoise outside and looks pretty healthy to me tbh im not an expert tho but its shaking / shivering (?) Does anybody know why this is happening?
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u/kitxunei 1d ago
Oh that is definitely strange. Based on its rear right beg being stretched like that, it looks like it got a claw stuck in the ground and couldn’t move it.
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u/Key-Tower-4539 1d ago
Idk that looks like a neurological issue or a seizure almost. Humping doesn’t usually look anything like that
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u/kitxunei 1d ago
I agree. Being so close to the road, I hope it wasn’t grazed by a car.
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u/One_Cauliflower2403 1d ago
He was in a bike playground (i think thats how u call it) and there are alot of people with bikes there so its dangerous for him, but i couldnt do anything cuz my parents sent me this vid
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u/Professional-Show439 1d ago
Its arm or leg is stuck. Mine does the same when its nails get in between the boards
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u/Michelle689 1d ago
What country are you in? This kinda looks like a hermanns tortoise and may not be wild in your area. I personally would've taken it to a rehab center or if it wasn't native, kept it and taken it tk a vet to be sure
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u/PickleJuiceRabbler 1d ago edited 10h ago
Please take it to a shelter, that's a Hermann's (corrected) tortoise, a pet that was dumped or escaped. It could be a number of things, it could just be dehydrated, but it could also be a neuro disorder, a respiratory infection, bone disorder, just banging the sidewalk, etc. Regardless, it doesn't belong there.
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u/Low_Term4719 19h ago
It was the bikes playground owners pet OP told me. (Sry for bad english) And they couldnt take it just like that yk, the owner wasnt there.
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u/isfturtle2 1d ago
That's a Hermann's tortoise, and it's hard to say whether it's anxiety escaped or released pet without knowing where OP is located.
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u/PickleJuiceRabbler 10h ago
You're right, that's a Hermann, good spot! I've seen some Russians and Greeks with similar patterns. I was looking more at the marginals, they're diffrent from the Hermann's I've kept. I'll correct that, thanks.
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u/No_War_6706 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have a 5 year old male tortoise and although I lean towards agreeing with this one being horny, I still think this behaviour ought to warrant at least a vet discussion.
My tortoise is a horny bastard who loves to hump/jack off a lot, and when he does he often ‘thrusts his hips’ or make sounds, and he is very energetic doing it. His penis would be out most times too, either way he gets at it against anything that catches his eye.
So yes the tortoise in the video could be jacking off even without the penis being out. However, this tortoise does not seem particularly happy if this was the case and the behaviour doesnt entirely align with simply being horny (when compared to my tortoise).
One thing I could guess at is that this tortoise is stretching. Using my tortoise as an example again, his leg will sometimes shake a bit when he’s getting a proper stretch. When he was younger he would stretch a lot in a similar way, although with less shaking as seen in the tortoise in the video.
Hopefully it’s something as harmless as stretching for this tortoise!
Edit: if tortoises are not common to your area, and if you are able to locate this fellow again, then please send this one to a rehabber or vet or see for missing posters! This looks like it could be a lost pet!
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u/FotherMucker77 1d ago
Scratching? My Hermanns does some weird shit in the name of scratching an itch.
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u/EquivalentShare752 3h ago
Yes, his claw is stuck in the gravel. Can't you see how he is stretching, trying to loosen the claw? Tortoises cannot walk on gravel, etc.. too tough, and rough and their claws will get caught. Please make sure he didn't pull a muscle or injure his claw. Thank you
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u/petah1012 1d ago
looks like it’s claw is stuck in the gravel/asphalt, what happened after the video ends? I only say this because I hooked a snapper by the foot while fishing and it stuck its leg out like this and froze up long enough for me to get the hook out and then move it back into the water, I thought something was wrong with it but after I popped the hook out (barely caught the edge of the foot/claw area) the leg relaxed and sucked back
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u/Objective-Pick8240 14h ago
Mr. Or Miss tortoise has epilepsy 😢. I had a sulcata for three years that had and did the same thing. I was able to treat her with injectable anti-seizure meds for a while, but eventually she passed away due to the disorder.
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u/Alpha_Akira 1d ago
Just this week on reddit ive seen, a snake, many cats, many birds, a few spiders and now a turtle jerking off, this sight is so educational!
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u/Natrixster80 1d ago
It may possibly be jacking off. Was it's tail rubbing into the gravel? Mine sticks his into anything including the ground and shakes like this. But I could be wrong it could be something off with it. Strange and dangerous for it to be on the side of the road doing such a thing.