Pet Tortoise Goes Viral for Absolutely Twerking When Wet-Internet Calls It His "Shower Shimmy"
When this tortoise gets wet, something absolutely adorable happens. His human has been watching it get more and more impressive every year. The internet watched it happen once and immediately had the perfect name for it.
The TikTok from @dear.figgcaptures the whole thing with a caption that says everything: "They get faster every year too "
This is Fig. He's a leopard tortoise with the most beautiful shell covered in bold black markings and creamy yellow spots that look exactly like a leopard's coat. They're one of the largest tortoise species in the world. Also, when wet, completely unhinged in the best possible way.
When the rain falls or the water starts spraying, Fig doesn't just stand there. He moves. He shimmies. He goes for it so hard that one commenter correctly identified it as twerking. The dance has been evolving for years. This year's version is apparently the best one yet.
@dear.figg The get faster every year too #tortoise#turtle#cuteanimals
original sound - dear.figg
One fan added something important: "Have you seen those brushes that they can rub their shells on? They love it." Even without water, Fig is a creature with strong reactions to being touched. That shimmy he's doing is just one part of a much more robust personality.
The comments came in fast:
"Not him twerking"
"The shower shimmy "
"Just dancing through the rain"
"Turtle got some moves"
"Not him twerking" is the whole video in three words. The internet named the move and Fig has not disputed it.
But the shimmy is more than just a funny TikTok. Fig is actually telling you something.
Why Do Tortoises Move Like That-and What Is Your Tortoise Actually Telling You?
Turns out this is a whole thing in the tortoise world and it is almost always good news.
According to Turtle Pet Guide, tortoises ‘dance' for several different reasons and it's usually "a sign of a healthy and active turtle."
Getting wet is one of their biggest triggers. Tortoises are really sensitive to moisture on their skin and shells that creates this immediate dance. When rain or water hits, the body just reacts and it can look a lot like dancing.
Related: Precious Twin Maine Coon Kittens Moving in Unison Are the Ultimate Little Princesses
The shell reaction is totally real. Tortoises can feel every single thing that touches their shell. They have nerve endings in there. When something makes contact in just the right spot they sometimes start moving around to get more of it, which is exactly the energy Fig brings to a brush or a good rain.
As for getting faster and better every year? Turtle Pet Guide says tortoises respond to the people and environment around them. Years of being loved and cared for by the
same person tends to bring out more of a tortoise's personality over time.
The source is pretty clear about what to do if your tortoise is doing this: let it happen. It is personality. It is happiness. It is Fig saying he is doing great.
He has been working on this shimmy for years.
He just keeps getting better.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 3:02 AM.