what can you tell me about my tortoises?

Donnau8

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We had a tortoise and it escaped. In the meantime we bought another one. A month later our neighbor found our lost tort so now we have two. What kind of tortoises are they? What sex are they? If they're of the same sex, could we try putting them together or will one of them become stressed? We have an outside enclosure that is about 4X4 and an inside enclosure that is 3X4. I can keep them separate in the summer but I'm in Eastern PA so the winters are cold. We're new tort owners so we're still learning.

tort 1.jpg tort 1.jpg
tort 1.jpg
tort 2.jpg tort 2.jpg
 

Tom

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ZEROPILOT

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I completely agree with Tom.
Russians are SUPER scrappy.
It looks like you have a male and a female there.
But that doesn't mean that they should be placed together. Especially in such a small enclosure.
 

Gillian M

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We had a tortoise and it escaped. In the meantime we bought another one. A month later our neighbor found our lost tort so now we have two. What kind of tortoises are they? What sex are they? If they're of the same sex, could we try putting them together or will one of them become stressed? We have an outside enclosure that is about 4X4 and an inside enclosure that is 3X4. I can keep them separate in the summer but I'm in Eastern PA so the winters are cold. We're new tort owners so we're still learning.

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A very warm welcome to the forum! :tort:

Please separate your torts asap so as to avoid bullying: torts do not need/like company.;) And give them daily soaks in warm water.

As ANY question when you need help.:D
 

Donnau8

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Thank you. They are separated. I've been soaking him but not everyday. I'm learning a lot!
 

Gillian M

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I completely agree with Tom.
Russians are SUPER scrappy.
It looks like you have a male and a female there.
But that doesn't mean that they should be placed together. Especially in such a small enclosure.
Ed, why are Russian torts "SUPER scrappy?" as you put it. OK, Oli is a Greek tort but knowledge is always good.
 

Gillian M

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Russians are very aggressive as a species in general.
Most tortoises will bully each other. Russians bite and ram each other even moreso.
Wow! That bad?

Thanks the info. Appreciate it.
 

Gillian M

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Thank you. They are separated. I've been soaking him but not everyday. I'm learning a lot!
Great! That a step ahead: your having separated them

However, I'd suggest your giving them a soak every day, so as to avoid pyramiding as well as dehydration.
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Hello, Donna, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your Russians.
4' by 8' for each tortoise would be considered about the minimum, but bigger is always better.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi, and welcome to the Forum!
 
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