Sexual behaviour?

[PressedFlower]

Hello,

I haven't been on these forums for ages but today my tortoise did something strange...

I have a horsfield tortoise and he is about 4 years old. I was sat reading my book and heard a strange squeaking noise coming from the tortoise's enclosure. When I looked he seemed to be humping his cave/hide (where he sleeps)!! His mouth was open and he was making funny squeaking noises!! He had kinda tucked his tail around and was rubbing this up against the cave!

Is this normal? Do tortoises generally display sexual behaviour at this age? I thought it would be much later. I've never seen him do this before but he has been doing this on and off ALL DAY!

Thanks for any info

[Denise aka Martini]

Hi, obviously in the wild they wouldnt be sexually mature until alot older, but captive bred tortoises seem to mature at a much younger age, aww bless him, he is abit frustrated

[PressedFlower]

Hehe I know! Poor tortoise. I was so suprised but couldn't help but giggle, especially when he had his mouth open!

Thanks for the reply

[Denise aka Martini]

yeah i couldnt help but giggle too when i first saw my leopard try it on with my female, she is twice size of him poor sod, he just managed to get up on her she moved and he fell on his back and just sat there for few seconds, kinda reminded me of the "dying fly thing" wiggling his legs about.

[Ron Magpie]

Titch, my male map has been mating with Emily the RES a lot lately- it's hilarious, she's about four times his size!

[Denise aka Martini]

First time i ever saw tortoises mating was when i went to Bristol zoo with my children, i was abit but the kids just stood there and watched and giggled.....