Turtles aren’t exactly known for their ability to run around and if the animal starts to run away from you this can become even more confusing and concerning, but it can and does happen
This article looks into why your turtle may be running away from you.
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Why does my turtle run from me?
Seeing your pet turtle on the move can sometimes be quite an interesting and fascinating sight but seeing it run away from you can be quite concerning.
Here is why your pet turtle may be running away from you:
It’s fearful:
Turtles are quite cautious animals naturally, these animals are easily scared by even the smallest of things like unfamiliar people, sounds, environments, or sudden movements.
If you get too close to the turtle then the animal may see this as a threat and may start to run away from you in fear thinking that you may harm it.
This behavior is more so seen in turtles who are new to your home and haven’t had the opportunity to get used to you.
What to do:
The little reptile will get used to you as it spends more time with you, turtles usually take a few weeks to get used to you.
You can help this process along by leaving food out for the animal, where it can see you, and then hand-feeding the animal as it gets used to you.
When hand feeding, or leaving food out, gently approach the animal and slowly put the food down to keep from scaring the animal. Allow the animal to watch you and understand that you aren’t there to hurt it
Confusion:
If your pet is used to you, but runs away from you when you feed it, then the animal may mistake your feeding hands for a predator.
Any signs of danger, in your turtle’s eyes, will send the animal running away quite quickly.
What to do:
You can remedy this by giving your pet food using a spoon or tongs instead of feeding them directly from your hands.
That being said, this may mean that you’d need to stop feeding your pet food from your hands, until it stops seeing your hands as a predator
The animal is ill:
A healthy turtle may be used to you but if the animal falls ill then the animal may start to become scared of you, and be scared of other turtles, and run away from you.
Turtles are quite weak and fragile when they become sick, and they want to be left alone.
If your pet turtle becomes sick then it may either snap at you when you come around or it may run and hide away from you
What to do:
You can confirm that the animal is sick by looking at the other signs of sickness in the animal.
Other signs of illness in turtles include lethargy, discharge coming from the eyes, nose, or mouth, a loss of appetite, difficulty moving (apart from the bursts of energy when the animal runs around)
If you think that the animal is sick then take your pet to a vet
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why Is My Turtle’s Tank Water Red?, Why Is My Turtle’s Shell Turning Yellow?, Why Is My Yellow Belly Turtle Not Eating?, Why Is My Turtle In Its Shell?, Why Is My Turtle Standing Up?, Why Does My Turtle Look Fuzzy?, Why Is My Turtle Poop White?, Why Is My Turtle Poop Red?, Why Is My Turtle Underwater?