emysemys said:It happens quite often when you have a pair. Try an experiment. Put something across the center of your habitat that the tortoises can't see past. Its ok for it to be open so they can pass from one end to the other, but tall enough to block vision from one end to the other. Start feeding them separately, one on each end of the habitat. If you notice that the bigger one has moved over to where the smaller one is eating, move him back to his own place.
It may not be actual "bullying" but it just may be that the more aggressive eater is eating all the food.
Baoh said:If you have a big family with several daughters and several sons, it is not a major surprise if some grow differently than others. My younger brother is over six feet tall. I am 5'8"/5'9". He did not steal my food.
yagyujubei said:When my leopards were little, I tried to separate the smallest. It immediately stopped eating, and spent all of it's time trying to escape it's confinement.
yagyujubei said:When my leopards were little, I tried to separate the smallest. It immediately stopped eating, and spent all of it's time trying to escape it's confinement.
Katherine said:I have clutch mates who show HUGE size disparities and no one is bullied or food deprived, this could just be normal genetic variation.
As mentioned it is a good idea to rule out bullying, and I am not intending to downplay the issues of 'pairs.' Sometimes something as simple as feeding them separate meals at opposite sides of enclosure can help if you suspect food is being disproportionately consumed.