Big sulcata ( s ) together with smaller sulcata ( s ) raised together, is bad for the smaller one, that`s what I learned from this forum. That`s what everybody told, and I have to say: You are so right !
My short story:
I bought 3 sulcata hatchlings from a breeder and they thrive and grow very well, but I wanted a fourth sully.
I found one from another breeder that is nearly the same age as my, but it is smaller. I bought the smaller one and put them all together in one enclosure.
The first time I saw no problems and believe me, I watch my torts well. The small tort grew and gained in weight too, but the big ones gain more.
After 3 months together I saw the three bigger sullies ( they are now 15 months old ) crawel over the smaller one, or push her away, like they would do it with a stone.
Food and eating was no problem because they get enough at several places, so that the smaller sully can eat too. But the bigger ones often disturb her while she was eating and one day I recognize that the small tort was getting slower. She often sat in a corner and moved not much and I know what was the reason for the change in her behavior.
She was not really sick but repressed by the bigger torts.
I took her and gave her a enclosure of her own and after two days later her behavior changed again. She was the lucky little tort that she was when she came to me. She is moving around and eating well. She loves to sit in her water dish where no one disturb her any longer.
The three big ones still have no problems with each other but I watch them attentively.
I wrote this for new tort owners that wants to raise more than one young sulcata tortoise.
Have always a close watch on your group of tortoises that one animal does not have to suffer under the oppression from the others.
I have learned my "lesson" soon.
Sabine
P.S. Thanks to all experiences sulcata tortoise keepers here for your warnings. With your experience I was able to see that my little sully was suffering from the bigger ones.
@Tom
@wellington
@Big Charlie
@Cowboy_Ken
@Grandpa Turtle 144
@Yvonne G
@Markw84
..... and the others I forgot !
Here is a picture of the small sully ( left ) sitting together with two bigger ones:
My short story:
I bought 3 sulcata hatchlings from a breeder and they thrive and grow very well, but I wanted a fourth sully.
I found one from another breeder that is nearly the same age as my, but it is smaller. I bought the smaller one and put them all together in one enclosure.
The first time I saw no problems and believe me, I watch my torts well. The small tort grew and gained in weight too, but the big ones gain more.
After 3 months together I saw the three bigger sullies ( they are now 15 months old ) crawel over the smaller one, or push her away, like they would do it with a stone.
Food and eating was no problem because they get enough at several places, so that the smaller sully can eat too. But the bigger ones often disturb her while she was eating and one day I recognize that the small tort was getting slower. She often sat in a corner and moved not much and I know what was the reason for the change in her behavior.
She was not really sick but repressed by the bigger torts.
I took her and gave her a enclosure of her own and after two days later her behavior changed again. She was the lucky little tort that she was when she came to me. She is moving around and eating well. She loves to sit in her water dish where no one disturb her any longer.
The three big ones still have no problems with each other but I watch them attentively.
I wrote this for new tort owners that wants to raise more than one young sulcata tortoise.
Have always a close watch on your group of tortoises that one animal does not have to suffer under the oppression from the others.
I have learned my "lesson" soon.
Sabine
P.S. Thanks to all experiences sulcata tortoise keepers here for your warnings. With your experience I was able to see that my little sully was suffering from the bigger ones.
@Tom
@wellington
@Big Charlie
@Cowboy_Ken
@Grandpa Turtle 144
@Yvonne G
@Markw84
..... and the others I forgot !
Here is a picture of the small sully ( left ) sitting together with two bigger ones: