I am a new Russian tortoise owner and I need help

[Mtgkid]

I recently purchased two Russian tortoises and I am looking for some help on determining their gender, age, and some help on good housing unit for them.
Richie

 

[G-stars]

If you haven't yet I'd read this care sheet.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Depending on size of tortoise we can help you sex them. Just need some pics of their underside.


— Gus

 

[Mtgkid]

This is Koopa
And this is Crush

 

[G-stars]

First one looks like a male to me. Can't see the second pic it's too dark.


— Gus

 

[Mtgkid]

Ok here is another one

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Richie:

You may have a pair there. Please be ever vigilant and if you see the male pestering the female too much, be prepared to have two separate enclosures for them. Male Russian tortoises are very aggressive breeders. Sometimes it gets so bad that the female has her eyelids bitten off and great chunks taken out of her front legs. She may just decide to stay hidden in a corner to try to keep away from him.

 

[G-stars]

Like Yvonne said. Watch for aggression. Looks like a pair to me too.


— Gus

 

[Mtgkid]

I caught him sitting on her so I don't know if that means anything but I took him off because i figured it might.

 

[lynnedit]

It can happen by accident when one sits on the other, but it is also one form of bullying. I would be a bit concerned about the female.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

To make sure the “female" is getting enough food vs. hiding, you could feed in a separate box in a warm, quite, male free zone.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello again Richie


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[Tom]

Read these please:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

They should not be housed in pairs. That almost never works with russians. Groups can sometimes get along with a single male in a large well designed enclosure, but even that doesn't work sometimes.