Tortoise bit off the head of cage mate.

G-stars

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I agree with the above that is probably what happened, the tortoise died and then was nibbled on. However, the bullying probably stressed the tortoises out and had a contributing factor to its death in the first place. So bullying still killed both of those tortoises.
 

TammyJ

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This is quite horrible and I am sorry it happened. Keep them separated and secure the enclosures from predators like dogs, rats, hawks, raccoons etc.
 

Professor Brenda

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This is so sad. I am so sorry for your experience as much as for your loss. How awful.

I do have to agree with everyone else that I hope at least this is a learning experience for all that tortoises should not be housed together. They are solitary animals.
 

lizznet15

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Hello all, I’m new to this forum because I came home today to find that my adult female tortoise had bit the head off of her female cage mate. I keep all 3 of my tortoises in the same cage as a breeding group, (M/F/F). I only occasionally saw fighting before this but nothing I believe to be serious. Here are some pictures.

View attachment 272131
View attachment 272132

I guess my question for the community is, have you ever seen something like this happen to any of your torts?
Oh my gosh I am so sorry this happened. This is a good place to find good answers.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Very sad.I was thinking of getting a friend for my tort but I think I will play it safe.I have heard that males can be pretty aggressive towards each other.
Any tortoise can be aggressive to any tortoise.
Especially in an enclosure that is small.
Groups only work in very large areas. And even then, they don't always work.
 

puffinboots

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I think Mark1 is right . The tortoise died & the others decided on a spot of cannibalism. I have never seen one of my tortoises bite one another. Even as they eat together , I watch to see the babies eating with the adults , a baby’s head almost touching the adults mouths, but they have never come to harm.
 

puffinboots

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I wonder if keeping tortoises from the same family can make them less aggressive.
The smell of an alien might spur them to fight.
 

el_mechacontext

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Thank you for those of you who posted info about bullying signs. I am considering getting another Russian and will definitely be using a separate enclosure if I do.
 

TammyJ

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I have to admit this thread (the photos) gave me nightmares. But it's probably a good lesson as to what may happen. I just never saw such an extreme example, if it was really a fight and decapitation, which I also doubt. I think it died first and its head was the easiest thing to get at.
 

wellington

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Those don't look like tortoise inflicted wounds to me. Looks like something a cat or dog would do. I've never seen damage like that inflicted by another tortoise.
That's what I was wondering too. A dog or likely a cat being no other chew Mark's like a dog would do more so then a cat
 

wellington

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Very sad.I was thinking of getting a friend for my tort but I think I will play it safe.I have heard that males can be pretty aggressive towards each other.
Tortoises dont want or need friends. Best to keep single or in a group of one Male to several females and even then they may all need to be housed alone.
 

KSeaman

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Very sad indeed.
I wonder if keeping tortoises from the same family can make them less aggressive.
The smell of an alien might spur them to fight.

I think we can all use this as a learning opportunity.
Just like in dog training, my go to saying is....they never do until they do.

So sorry for your lost.

In raising Betta fish, you can keep babies from the same hatch usually safely until they reach a certain age then they almost always (98%) of the time they will start fighting and need to be separated.
 

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