Understanding TORTOISE Behavior!

While tortoises are no stranger to being kept as pets, some of their behaviors still throw people for a loop leaving many to think something is wrong with them. Tortoises certainly aren’t like dogs or cats or even like fish and in fact, some of their behaviors remind us of birds! They are, after all, included in the group Archelosauria along with birds, so maybe it shouldn’t be so much of a surprise! Tortoises have been known to pass weird things like a milky substance and they’ve been known to make certain sounds. Do they actually vocalize? How is it they’re able to hiss? It’s all in this video, so let’s bust some myths and have a little fun in this ultimate dose of reptile education!

Who is Garden State Tortoise?

However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our YouTube channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.

Chris and Casey Leone

[GardenStateTortoise]

Friends!

As always, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 🙏🏻

Chris and Casey

[hongodelaluna]

I like to note the fact that as soon as she was flipped over he stopped pushing, so I actually think this was non aggressive and he had an instinct to help her out somehow knowing she had his clutch. How cool!

[tmmrtn]

0:00 Urate excretions
1:27 Air hissing sound
2:01 Carnivorous eating
3:24 Combative females
4:58 Flipping over

Want official chapter markers in these videos? Thumbs up this comment to let them know!

[lindad]

I think the male was saving the female by flipping her back over on her feet. I love this video! I love learning about turtles and tortoises! Thank you!

[maxrhiabelleagilityclass]

This is one of my FAVORITE you tube channels....LOVE YOU GUYS....

[Inkedscales]

I think they are helping another tortoise in distress. They are intelligent animals that recognize each other. 😊

[jimcostantino]

My redfoot and my box turtles have eaten everything from caught field mice to fish that jumped out of my tank. Put them in the pen and they eat it all. it's like a treat once in awhile and nothing gets wasted

[HOAXTelevision]

The only vocalization my tortoise ever makes is his impersonation of a howler monkey while he is riding his love blanket.

[bethannemoore]

I definitely would like to think (and choose to think) that they are helping each other vs. just doing it by chance. I firmly believe every type of animal has a personality and has feelings to some extent though they may not be tantamount to how humans feel! ❤

[just_kos]

I love your channel! Growing up with a big brother who's totally into reptiles, I was always fascinated by snakes, turtles, lizards, tortoises, etc. Hard not to be, when big brother lets you hang around and learn, too!!

[JamesKingunderstandinglife]

The very varied normal tortoise diet is reassuring to hear you say it since I have seen it exhibited in my healthy Russian tortoises for years.

[rachelwilton]

Im so glad you mentioned the pulling in head and hissing as i thought my tort was pissy with me earlier.😂 She lives inside as im in uk but as its summer i carry her outside to her outdoor enclosure.

[charchar]

I really enjoy this channel so much I never thought I could love them so much 💝💝💝💝

[tamarrajames]

I think they have empathy, and they DO live together.🖤🇨🇦

[embracenreborns]

Thanks for another educational video 👀💚🐢🐢🐢🐢

[jenpink]

This was so interesting, thank you! I definitely think that they are trying to help when they help flip each other right side up 💕

[jenniferatkinsreptileart]

What fascinates me is gow my baby russians touch noses and often take turns eating

[Bibliobelle_]

I definitely think they flip each other back over to help each other! I’ve seen videos where it’s clear that the tortoise is “strategically” maneuvering around in a way that is meant to right the other tort!

[kelleyhawk]

Wow. I’ll never see toothpaste the same again. 😳😖😜

[tmariepi]

I like it best when, while you're speaking and sharing this great info, the camera is focused on the tortoises.