The Fan Dance

Once again I was clueless as to Charlie’s gender when I first got him. That was why I had named him Charlie. In case he turns out to be a female, well Charlie can be the nick name for Charlene. Fast thinking, huh?

Charlie’s growth picked up speed soon after he joined the family, eating up to 5 times a day! His favourite food when he was growing up was KFC’s chicken nugget. =)

It was only when Charlie grew to a considerable size before he was introduced to Slow Coach for fear that she would squashed him in case she tramples over him or stacks herself on top of his shell sunbathing.

When Charlie was introduced to Slow Coach, he was curious of her. He sniffed her out from head to tail and followed her around consistently. She hated his attention. *Ouch* Every time he goes near her trying to get to know her better by sniffing her, she pushes him away and then walks the opposite direction from him. Sure took a long time for them to be friends.

They may be friends now but Slow Coach still prefers to have her own tub. She likes privacy. A lot! She will not hesitate to kick him with her hind legs or push him with her front legs just to get him out of her private chamber.

Then, one fine day… something that I had not seen before happened. I was observing the both of them on the balcony having their daily walk. I noticed Charlie kept circling Slow Coach before stopping in front of her. Then, he started vibrating his front out-stretched claws. Either Charlie was desperately trying to get Slow Coach’s attention or he was trying to pick a fight with Slow Coach. Their eyes were locked onto each others’. I was certain there were sparks flying between the two of them.

Romance or feud? None of them. Once again, Slow Coach, the ice queen pushed Charlie out of her way and continued on her morning walk. Sorry for the anti-climax. =P

That same day, the same scene repeated itself every time Charlie found Slow Coach in his proximity. I googled and found out that Charlie was actually performing the fan dance for Slow Coach, which is part of the tortoise mating ritual.

Then, I added one to one together and I came to a very important conclusion. No, make that an important discovery. Here’s my hypothesis:

Female tortoises lay eggs.
Slow Coach lays eggs.
Therefore, Slow Coach is a female.

Male tortoises do the fan dance to mate with female tortoises.
Charlie was trembling his claws like a Parkinson patient.
Therefore, Charlie is a male tortoise!


I am happy that Slow Coach has finally found a partner to enjoy some mating rituals with, though she isn’t too impressed by his dancing skill.