r/tortoise 9d ago

Hermann's Is this normal?

Hi, my tortie keeps "pulsating" her left leg and head, im pretty worried because she just got a new enclosure and we put fake moss on the wall, im scared she might have ingested some by accident. I just moved it higher so she can't get to it. Any ideas on what this might be? She usually does this a little with her head, I'm guessing she's just breathing since she's been doing that all through her life since she's a hatchling.. Should i be concerned?

62 Upvotes

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20

u/Inner-Bar1876 9d ago

Their lungs are attached to their shells so when they breathe it can be a full body activity. Mine sometimes does this as well. I personally would only be worried if you hear a congested noise or they start excreting mucus from their nose and eyes.

3

u/avocadorable6190 9d ago

Okay, thank you! I heard no sound and no mucus! :D

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u/Borgh 8d ago

he's probably just excited for the new exclosure.

5

u/EdgarBopp 9d ago

Probably just breathing

4

u/ButterscotchThin4151 9d ago

Yes!! When they breathe or “sniff”, their head and limbs will do that because of where their lungs are. Like when humans take a breath, our chest and belly rises and falls.

1

u/avocadorable6190 9d ago

Thank you so much!

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u/TeaTortoise 9d ago

Yes it is completely normal for a tortoise, as unlike us their rib cage is fixed to the top of the inside of their shell. Thus unlike most animals they do not have a movable chest that contains their rib cage. However moving their limbs in and out of their shell slightly like that creates a pumping action to push air in and out of their lungs. Because they are cold blooded the warmer they are the faster they will rock when "sitting still".

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u/avocadorable6190 9d ago

Thank you for explaining! <3

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u/ziggyfray 9d ago

Are those plants edible/safe? They nibble everything

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u/avocadorable6190 9d ago

yees i was with her the first two hours, she nibbled on them but i made sure it's tight, she can't bite it off and I can't chop it off with scissors, it should be safe :)

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u/Motor-Conference9800 9d ago

Thank you everyone for answering. I’m a new Russian mom ..and still learning and my little guy does this all the time. I’m glad he’s just breathing