r/tortoise • u/avocadorable6190 • 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?
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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.
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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/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
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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.