Introducing other tortoises

[lucycdavies]

Hello, I am thinking about getting another baby tortoise to move in with my one (very nearly two) year old spur thighed and I was wondering if they would hurt each other and fight or be friends.
I already know that male and make does not work and that two separate species don't mix either, I'd appreciate any tips about introducing tortoises, thank you

 

[zovick]

Have you read any of the numerous posts since you joined about the inadvisability of keeping two tortoises together, be they the same species or not? It is definitely not recommended. Additionally, the size difference between a nearly two year old and a new baby would put the baby in some jeopardy. as well as make it hard for it to get any food. Depending upon the size of your first tortoise, the baby could have its head bitten off or be injured otherwise just trying to eat.

Your existing tortoise doesn't need a friend. It is far happier by itself than it would be with another tortoise in its home territory.

You should set up a separate enclosure for the second tortoise if you ant another baby one that badly.

 

[lucycdavies]

Thank you for that! It's really helpful

 

[Tom]

Hello, I am thinking about getting another baby tortoise to move in with my one (very nearly two) year old spur thighed and I was wondering if they would hurt each other and fight or be friends.
I already know that male and make does not work and that two separate species don't mix either, I'd appreciate any tips about introducing tortoises, thank you

I agree with Zovic.

Tortoises should never be housed in pairs. Not any species and not any age or size. Groups of juveniles can sometimes work, but not pairs. Tortoises don't want or need companions. They are solitary. Other tortoises are seen as intruders or marauders, not as friends.

You would also have to quarantine any new tortoises for several months to make sure you are not bringing in anything contagious to your existing tortoise.

 

[KarenSoCal]

Why not to keep 2 tortoises together - a lesson learned the hard way

This is a copy/paste of an article I wrote on my blog last year. I've seen several new keepers ask the question of whether they should get a 'friend' for their tortoise, and so rather than keeping on linking to my blog (which feels kinda self-promoting, which is not my intent), I am creating a...

tortoiseforum.org

Another "why not" to keeping tortoises in pairs.

It suppresses sexual expression. Two Indian Star tortoises kept together since they were babies were at about a third to half grown. The "female" was a bit smaller and more pyramided, but not grossly so for say a leopard tortoise, so certainly not an Indian Star they were within a millimeters...

www.tortoiseforum.org