Ideally, how often should a tortoise be handled ?

Question

Ideally, how often should a tortoise be handled ?

Answer 1

handling a tortoise when it is young will help it to recognise you as the provider of food and its carer, a tortoise does not always like to be handled but usually they will let you know if they don't like it, (if they don't like it they will wee all over you) but too much handling can stress a tortoise so keep it to once or twice a day, they do however enjoy being stroked on their shell and sometimes they like to be stroked under the chin, i usually only handle my torotises when they are being brought in or put out for the day, but i will sit in their pen and gently stroke their shell, usually they come over to me when i sit down, so let your torotise set the pace, it will come to you, when it wants to be fussed over, best of luck with your tortoise honey.

Answer 2

you can handle a tortoise anytime, especialy after feeding time but that also depends on the tortoise's size.

Answer 3

I handle mine every day.

The ones that are to heavy to pick up I sit on the ground and pet.

Mine are very sociable because of this.

Answer 4

Ideally from their point of view? Never.

Practically... handling them for a few minutes at a time a couple times a day or so helps them get used to it and comfortable with it. Try to support their feet when you pick them up.

I am not real convinced you can 'socialize' a tortoise. They certainly come to recognize their feeder, and they often enjoy a good head rubbing, but I am unconvinced yet that they actually 'like' people.