Epic Tortoise Battle! Gopher Tortoises Wrestling.

[@shaofuchang515]

tortoises seem to know that being flipped over means certain death so there's a sense of mutual aid to prevent killing another over a dispute. Many tortoises are killed because of the boney protrusion from under the head that ends up impaling the other. Gopher tortoises doesn't have the feature so their scuffles looks mostly like this. But, pinning the opponent to prove a point is pretty common. The same method is often used to "tame" an aggressive pet tortoise, flipping it over for a bit then turn it right side up again. It will quickly learn hes not the alpha in the pen

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Wow. That's great info. Thanks for sharing!

[@shaofuchang515]

@@curtiswhitwam1 Before I went for my bachelors I spent three years in a community college that bordered a large parcel of land that is owned by the local museum of natural science. There's about seven gopher tortoise burrows back there. Part of my past time is to go and count tortoises that's roaming about. They will fight almost from April to November as that's the span of their mating season. Its also the only time when the boys aren't afraid to make noise in the underbrush. =D Oddly enough, I have not seen one flipped over and stay that way for long. either they flip themselves over or the opponent nudges it over. Once the winner is determined the other makes a beeline home. They make more than one burrow so I never figured out where exactly "home" is for any of them.

[@ThatJasonLee]

Anyone else surprised by how quick the tortoises are?

[@curtiswhitwam1]

We sure were! It was cool watching them run.

[@itzpurplegirl]

Tortoise Fight: two hours later... Still fighting

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Lol! They did go at it for a long time!!

[@nathanielestrella8096]

Me and my 6yo brother fighting over the dino nuggets like:

[@curtiswhitwam1]

😂😂😂

[@bonnie448]

Thank you for posting this video, I am doing some paintings of these guys and needed to see the color of the older ones.

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Oh cool. Hope it turns out great!

[@kuruptzZz]

LOL great editing. Thumbs up

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Thanks! It was fun to create!

[@idontknow898]

These are like the cutest guys ever omg 🙊

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Right?!

[@SaryaUnique]

That was so cute lol 😭😂

[@curtiswhitwam1]

😊

[@karaconigio5373]

I’m from Florida to and I have a gopher turtle in my backyard. I just realize that other Gopher turtles will take over the borough of another turtle. I wonder if that’s what they were fighting over. The other dude probably took the owners house. Edit-I wonder if that means the dominant turtle gets the borough. I also found it amusing that he helped him back over. It’s almost like they have an agreement if I flip you over you lose. Yes I’m one of those you tubers that comment way too early.

[@paleranger2.057]

I have three living in my back yard. There are an adult male and female and then a juvenile which I haven't sexed yet. They are amazing creatures! Anytime they see me they come running because I feed them celery, lettuce, and the occasional banana (; If anyone reads this, dont overfeed fruits because they can get diarrhea

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Pretty cool!

[@LCbabyxO]

I had no ideas turtles battled and fought for territory.. omg. #worldpeace

[@curtiswhitwam1]

We didn't either until this day when we saw this. I think they were males fighting over a mate. Ha!

[@LCbabyxO]

Curtis Whitwam haha that's crazy!! I enjoyed the video and I'm glad they walked away unscathed.

[@kellyofthewild5184]

This is so entertaining! Was it at Weedon?

[@curtiswhitwam1]

Ha! Yes it is at Weedon right in the parking lot by the ed center. We watched them for like 30 minutes. BTW my mother in law Helen loved the painting class and she has been painting more at home ever since.