{"id":34,"date":"2021-03-04T10:24:07","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T16:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/903pets.com\/?p=34"},"modified":"2022-06-04T09:45:43","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T15:45:43","slug":"tortoise-head-bobbing-what-is-it-and-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/903pets.com\/tortoise-head-bobbing-what-is-it-and-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Tortoise Head Bobbing. What is it and why?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why is my tortoise bobbing its head? That is a question that gets asked often by new tortoise owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortoises bob or nod their heads for four reasons, to challenge other males, attract females for mating, normal breathing, and respiratory issues. Chelonians, tortoises, do not have a diaphragm like humans. To breathe, they must move portions of their anatomy in order to inhale and exhale. This causes a slight head bobbing in some breeds of tortoises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait, what?!? Let\u2019s explain in more detail and help you determine if your tortoises head bobbing requires further attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is My Tortoise Bobbing Its Head?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the scenario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You walk in to feed your tortoise. As you approach the enclosure you pause. Something just caught your eye. Something feels off but you don\u2019t know what. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You pause and watch. Suddenly you hone in on it. Your tortoise is bobbing its head in a regular pattern. Moving its head up and down rhythmically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it doing that? Is something wrong with my tortoise because it is nodding its head?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now is the time to step back and take a deep breath. Let\u2019s walk through this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortoises do bob or nod their heads for reasons that are not a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortoises, turtles, and terrapins, also know as Chelonians, move the heads, necks, and legs during breathing. But why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do tortoises bob their heads when they breathe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What to look for<\/span>: slight head bobbing and pulsing between neck and front legs. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The order of animals called Chelonians, which include tortoises, are unique critters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortoises do not have a diaphragm like humans, to expand and contract their ribs which do the same to the lungs. Their ribs are connected to their hard shell and therefore can\u2019t move like humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, tortoises have to find another way to force air into and out of their lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tortoises use a special set of muscles activated by the movement of limbs, neck, and head, to do the work of inhalation and exhalation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this muscle movement takes place, you may see a slight movement of the neck as part of the breathing process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you will also see a little muscle pulse between the neck and front legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This looks like the tortoise is bobbing its head slightly, when in fact it is simply breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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