Separating tortoises due to behavior changes?

stojanovski92113

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Hello everyone! I have 4 red footed tortoises that always have gotten along very well. I've posted something similar before not too long ago. I did the suggestions before with more hiding spots. However, my female who is approximately 13" is in her state of wanting to mate & the other tortoises are not liking it. The other tortoises are about 10 1/2," 8 1/2," & a little over 5." So I'm going to separate her for a while due to the other tortoises behavior changes.

My question is....How long does this wanting to mate behavior last??? It's been over 2 months. I almost want to buy a male for her or borrow a male tortoise for a night!!! My large female paces her tortoise table with bubbly eyes & bothers the other tortoises where she steps on them & gets in their face! The other tortoises are hiding more & not eating as much. They are not themselves. I know my tortoises!!

All my tortoises are stressed which I need to act fast. I'm in the process of doing another home for my tortoise since I live in michigan & it gets cold out & they won't be able to go outside as much. I don't want my red foot alone, she loves to be with the other ones...she NEEDS attention at all times. It's just this period of the alpha female thing & mating I suppose. I'm at a loss :(

Wondering from others & experiences. I just want happy tortoises!!

Thanks...Shannon
 

Tom

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I think you are reading way too much human emotion into this tortoises behavior. Females don't wander and pace because they want to be bred. And no tortoise of any species needs attention at all times. Sure redfoots tend to get along in groups in most cases, but they do just fine all alone too.

How are they housed? Indoors or out? It sounds too me like she might need to drop a load of eggs. Is there a suitable place for her to do this in her enclosure?

Are you sure you have a female? Lots of people have misjudged this.
 

stojanovski92113

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image.jpg


My tortoises are outside a lot. But now that it's been a bit chillier living in MI I've had them inside in their tortoise table. I've never seen any other of my tortoise show male parts EVER!! Yes I may be reading way too much into this. I do see a change in them however. Here's a pic of the larger female.
 

stojanovski92113

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image.jpg
There is my larger female on top of my smaller female again....all the time!! This was this morning.image.jpg

image.jpg
The smaller female...I think she's a female! Is it a dominance thing??
 

stojanovski92113

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I don't know...my other tortoise who I think is a male & is smaller, about 8 inches & I have never witnessed the dirty deed! But I always see her on him. But wouldn't I see the male part on him by now?! I've had him since 2011!

If this is true...I will need help!!!!! :)
 

Tom

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But wouldn't I see the male part on him by now?! I've had him since 2011!

Not necessarily. No one watches their tortoise for 24 hours a day without taking their eyes off of them once. Many males never flash. Breeding only takes a few minutes and could have happened a thousand times while you were not looking directly at them.
 

stojanovski92113

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Not necessarily. No one watches their tortoise for 24 hours a day without taking their eyes off of them once. Many males never flash. Breeding only takes a few minutes and could have happened a thousand times while you were not looking directly at them.
Not necessarily. No one watches their tortoise for 24 hours a day without taking their eyes off of them once. Many males never flash. Breeding only takes a few minutes and could have happened a thousand times while you were not looking directly at them.
I just thought males will occasionally flash when they start maturing. Well I could possibly have a pregnant tortoise. Oh dear :) thanks to answering my question. This is all new to me!!!! I will make changes to the enclosure due to digging just in case, because its most definitely not deep enough.
 

Yellow Turtle01

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Wow, little baby torts! :D I hope everything goes okay with her... My RES wouldn't lay her eggs in front of my other turtles, so you might need to remove her for a bit if she's shy.
 

Vien Pelayo

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hi Everyone - I'm from the Philippines and is an avid fan or tortoises.. i was hoping if someone can help me get a Red Foot or 2 to avoid lonelyness. ;)
 

Tom

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hi Everyone - I'm from the Philippines and is an avid fan or tortoises.. i was hoping if someone can help me get a Red Foot or 2 to avoid lonelyness. ;)

Tortoises don't get lonely. They do fine all alone and most prefer it that way. Get just one or a group of three or more.
 

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