I have had my hatchlings now for a week or so but one of them (chunk) has got me a little bit worried. After his bath and a bask he starts wandering around but every few steps I can hear a slight click sort of sound coming from his mouth/head area. When this happens his head pops back into his shell and then he will rub the side of his face once with his front leg. Then off he goes again for another few steps and it happens again. It doesn't seem to happen if he stays still. He's always done it since I've had him but bean doesn't do this at all. I haven't noticed this any other time other than after his bath but will watch him closely over the weekend. His eyes are fine, can't see any runny nose and he's still a little piggy with his food. Anyone know what this could be?

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1.0.0 Bengal Cat (Leon) - nut case
0.1.0 Siamese Cat (Sasha)
0.0.2 Marginated Tortoises (Chunk & Bean)

Sounds to me like water up the nares after his bath.......some tortoises make this 'clicking' sound after a bath and the rubbing action is Chunk trying to wipe the excess water away.
Does it just last for a few minutes after his bath?

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

For about 10-15 mins maybe pheobe I think but I will pay more attention this afternoon and let you know. It does only seem to be after his bath though but the other one doesn't do it at all. Also it only happens when he walks. Someone on another forum suggested he may have a small bit of hemp caught but I can't see any! Should I get him to a vet, he still seems fine in every other way.

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1.0.0 Bengal Cat (Leon) - nut case
0.1.0 Siamese Cat (Sasha)
0.0.2 Marginated Tortoises (Chunk & Bean)

Ben, I'm sure he'll be fine.......you worry about everything when you first get them don't you. I really think it's just bath water up the nares, is this the tortoise that put's his head flat on the floor to drink in the bath? If so, it could be that he's just taking in too much water.

Has the undigested dandie leaf come out yet?

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

I hope so, it's just the drawing his head in that worried me because it made it look uncomfortable. The dandie leaf was the other one bean, that came out the day i wrote about it thankfully and he has been to the loo since so happy about that one... phew! They both stick their heads right under the water and now I know what it is I find it quite ammusing If it is just excess water up his nares is he likely to grow out of this? I'll keep a close eye on him. On another note I thought torts were suupposed to be slow! Mine sprint around everywhere, their little legs look so funny

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1.0.0 Bengal Cat (Leon) - nut case
0.1.0 Siamese Cat (Sasha)
0.0.2 Marginated Tortoises (Chunk & Bean)

He should do Ben.....I have one that used to get water up her nares and sneeze a lot in the bath, but she doesn't do it much now.....it's quite common amongst young ones. Just keep an eye on it and if your worried at all, let us know.

When they are warm enough tortoises move like you-know-what off a stick !! When I put mine back in their enclosure after their bath, by the time I'm lifting the 4th one out, I have no idea where 1, 2 and 3 have gone too

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

lol so cute, I think I may be a little over protective. Thanks very much YET AGAIN for sharing your experience it's much appreciated. I'll keep you posted

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1.0.0 Bengal Cat (Leon) - nut case
0.1.0 Siamese Cat (Sasha)
0.0.2 Marginated Tortoises (Chunk & Bean)

No thanks needed Ben, it's a pleasure. I remember how I used to worry over everything they did, if they went to bed early I thought there was something wrong, if they stayed up later I thought there was something wrong. If they ate all their food I was convinced I hadn't fed them enough the previous day, if they left any I thought they were poorly

Its natural to worry, it just shows how much you care for them.....with all this tortoise watching you'll soon see their own individual personalities developing and you will know your tortoises so much better and the worrying gets less.
No point in telling you to just keep an eye on them....you're going to do that anyway

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's

Sorry, I also meant to add.........if you notice any other changes in the behaviour, let us know.

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Phoebe

Keeping: Hermanns and Whitei's