duffield9
New Member
Male Russian won’t leave female alone they have been together for 6 years but has been very aggressive past month is this just a trying to mate phase how long will it last ? I would hate to separate after all this time
My understanding Herman male and female can be kept together these 2 have been together for 6 years thanks thoughShort answer: it won't stop.
Tortoises are not social animals. In addition to the sexual component, he will continually have the impulse to dominate her in terms of territory and resources (food, water, burrows, etc.). As the only other tortoise in sight, he will fixate on her day after day...
Unfortunately, you are seeing why it is recommended to NOT keep two tortoises living in the same enclosure.
In a very large territory, one male with two or more females can fare better (with the caveat that any one animal can develop dominant fixation on any other animal)...but two just does not work out unless the space they live in is large enough for them to not cross paths with regularity.My understanding Herman male and female can be kept together these 2 have been together for 6 years thanks though
You should separate them. It wouldn't be good to subject the female to that constant harassment.Male Russian won’t leave female alone they have been together for 6 years but has been very aggressive past month is this just a trying to mate phase how long will it last ? I would hate to separate after all this time
In spite of them being together for 6 years, neither tortoise will care if they don't see the other one for the foreseeable future. They are not humans, they do not have human emotions and they don't need friends or playmates to be perfectly happy.Male Russian won’t leave female alone they have been together for 6 years but has been very aggressive past month is this just a trying to mate phase how long will it last ? I would hate to separate after all this time
Your understanding is completely wrong. Separate them asap. He will bother your female to illness or death. Tortoises do not want to live with another tortoise. They mate or fight and move on.My understanding Herman male and female can be kept together these 2 have been together for 6 years thanks though
I don't know how that came to be your understanding, but its not correct. Tortoises should never be housed in pairs, and no, they have not gotten along all this time. They managed to survive a bad situation. They should never have been together, and they should not be together now. This is torture for the submissive one, if its even a female.My understanding Herman male and female can be kept together these 2 have been together for 6 years thanks though
Thanks yes we will separate appreciate the helpIn spite of them being together for 6 years, neither tortoise will care if they don't see the other one for the foreseeable future. They are not humans, they do not have human emotions and they don't need friends or playmates to be perfectly happy.
You asked for help with your problem and have received good advice here. It would behoove you to do what has been suggested.
Perhaps the two are just reaching sexual maturity and that is why the male is attempting to exert dominance now when he hasn't in the past. Unfortunately, though, the sexual urges of male Russian Tortoises are strong and not reversible. The problem will most likely continue until they are separated or the females becomes stressed enough by the male to die.
You could try getting a couple more females if you insist on keeping them together. That way, the male cannot concentrate on a single female constantly and the stress will be lessened.
horsefield technically but I thought all same Herman or Russian ty for informationI don't know how that came to be your understanding, but its not correct. Tortoises should never be housed in pairs, and no, they have not gotten along all this time. They managed to survive a bad situation. They should never have been together, and they should not be together now. This is torture for the submissive one, if its even a female.
Also in your first post you said Russian, and in the above quoted post you mention hermanni. Which do you have?
Horsfield and hermanni are two different species. You are correct that the care and feeding is the same, but these two species should never been mixed.Thanks yes we will separate appreciate the help
horsefield technically but I thought all same Herman or Russian ty for information
Horsefield and Herman are different? So nickname Russian applies to which?Horsfield and hermanni are two different species. You are correct that the care and feeding is the same, but these two species should never been mixed.
You should post pics and we can ID them for you to make sure you've got what you think you've got.
The horsfield tortoise is also known as the Russian. Testudo hermanni is typically called "Herman's tortoise".Horsefield and Herman are different? So nickname Russian applies to which?
I read most posts, and love what you just said. Some people post here to have their way of thinking or doing things, validated, not to be disagreed with.Well. Whether or not all the good advice here was actually appreciated, I think it would certainly "behoove" all of us to pay close attention to it!
I am not an expert on Box Turtles, but I would say yes, it does. Male Box Turtles can be just about as aggressive as the tortoises are when breeding season comes around.Does this “keep separate” rule also apply to 3 toe box turtles?
The vast majority of reptile species are non-social, spending their days alone for the greater percentage of their lifetimes. Water turtles can be seen as somewhat communal (they have to be where the water is), but terrestrial turtles are primarily solitary in the wild.Does this “keep separate” rule also apply to 3 toe box turtles?