Can holding my tortoises stress them out and kill them?

Question

I don't think so but just 2 make sure. Because usually if i hold them and pet their heads. They fall asleep in my hand. How often should they be held?

Answer 1

While there is a lot of difference in personality, most tortoises do not like being held. Going quiet is a common response to the stress of feeling attacked.

Remember- a common predator of young tortoises is birds of prey, which swoop down, pick them up, and either drop them or just peck at their soft tissues.

So, when a tortoise is lifted up, it has two options- struggle, and almost certainly get dropped, or freeze up and withdraw to protect itself.

Think about it- when your tortoise sleeps in the pen, does it do it in the open, or in hiding. Why would it relax and sleep in your hand in the open?

Nothing in the wild picks tortoises up unless it plans to hurt them, so they are not used to the process. At least mammals get handled by their parents, etc.

You were picked up by 'friendly giants' the entire time you grew up. Imagine the terror the tortoise experiences as it is picked up by alien giants with an unknown purpose.

If you DO handle your tortoise, try to support its legs. That helps it realize you are not a hawk trying to attack it. If you have to move it a distance, do it in a tub or box.

Your tortoise MAY get used to being carried. The signs it is liking it is that it will extend its head and try to look around. Scared turtles rarely extend their heads.

Answer 2

no it can't but don't turn them on their back upsidedown they will die if they stay on their back for a long time. it does not matter how often you hold them. good luck i have 4 old ones

Answer 3

not alot ...theres diff things that can stress a turtle out new home moving around to much... and it will cause them not to eat and then they will kill thems selfs no it doesnt happen all the time but u shouldnt all the time

Answer 4

Don't worry, you can hold them as much as you want it doesn't matter.  It falls asleep because it feels comfortable with you.  It's actually a good thing!

Answer 5

I don't think that holding them could ever possibly harm them in any way.  There is no holding them too much either, as long as they have time to sleep, eat, and poo, you are doing great by spending so much time with them! =)