Introduction

turtlepiano · Sep 5, 2019

Any tips for introducing a new tortoise to my 10 year old? My plan is to monitor them heavily and separate them when I’m not home.

Turtle girl 98 · Sep 7, 2019

I don't know much about tortoises but I think monitoring them and watching for bullying is a big thing. Just makes sure both are getting fed equally and are getting along. What kind of tortoises? I know some species shouldn't be kept together. ( Not sure what ones) I wish you luck introducing them together [emoji846] do you have any pics of them[emoji846] love pics of the torts

Yvonne G · Sep 7, 2019

Your best bet is to NOT do it. Tortoises don't do well in pairs. Your 10 year old has been king of the hill for the past 10 (or however many years), and would see any new tortoise as something to chase away, and if that can't be accomplished, to kill. Doesn't matter what sex they are, they should never be kept in pairs. If you have a male and female and are looking to raise babies, then you still have two separate enclosures, allowing the male in with the female for brief encounters, then each back to their own space.

turtlepiano · Sep 7, 2019

Yvonne G said:
Your best bet is to NOT do it. Tortoises don't do well in pairs. Your 10 year old has been king of the hill for the past 10 (or however many years), and would see any new tortoise as something to chase away, and if that can't be accomplished, to kill. Doesn't matter what sex they are, they should never be kept in pairs. If you have a male and female and are looking to raise babies, then you still have two separate enclosures, allowing the male in with the female for brief encounters, then each back to their own space.

I get it. It’s just that our ten year old grew up with another tortoise who passed away. He got along well with the other and they would follow each other around the yard. I’m really hoping we can make it work.

xMario · Sep 7, 2019

turtlepiano said:
I get it. It’s just that our ten year old grew up with another tortoise who passed away. He got along well with the other and they would follow each other around the yard. I’m really hoping we can make it work.

They did not get along with each other.
Following is aggression.
They tried to force one another of there territory.

I'm not saying this to be mean.
It's a fact. Tortoises dont get along in pairs and ignoring this will cause a miserable life for both animals involved.

turtlepiano · Sep 7, 2019

xMario said:
They did not get along with each other.
Following is aggression.
They tried to force one another of there territory.

I'm not saying this to be mean.
It's a fact. Tortoises dont get along in pairs and ignoring this will cause a miserable life for both animals involved.

I know what following aggression looks like. These two were raised from hatchlings together for 7 years. They weren’t aggressive. When I say they followed each other what I mean is they got out of their holes at the same time, ate together, roamed the yard together. Never fought.

My ten year old has been in the yard for 3 years. He’s territorial now. I read another post that introducing them in a neutral site and weening them into the same yard can be effective.

TechnoCheese · Sep 7, 2019

turtlepiano said:
I know what following aggression looks like. These two were raised from hatchlings together for 7 years. They weren’t aggressive. When I say they followed each other what I mean is they got out of their holes at the same time, ate together, roamed the yard together. Never fought.

My ten year old has been in the yard for 3 years. He’s territorial now. I read another post that introducing them in a neutral site and weening them into the same yard can be effective.

Just being together is one tortoise saying “hey, that’s my spot!”

Tortoises physically do not have the ability to love each other, nor do they have the reason to. They rarely physically “fight”, and you just described perfect examples of aggression. Following is chasing, cuddling is crowding, eating together is competing, etc. We promise you, they will not benefit at all be being introduced, and all it will prong is stress and potential injury.

Chubbs the tegu · Sep 7, 2019

In the no moderators allowed thread everyone gets along lol

Chubbs the tegu · Sep 7, 2019

Turtlepiano, listen to their advice.. its not gonna work

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

Holy cow. This forum has gone down hill. I am asking for advice from people who have dealt with similar situations. People with experience. I don’t need teenagers telling me what the relationship between my tortoises I raised from hatchlings was like based on a paragraph. If you don’t have advice please don’t post.

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

I’m really just using this forum as research to make the transition go as smooth as possible. I’m on day 5 of the introduction and each day has been better than the last (if anyone even cares). It’s a sad day when this forum has just become another trolling site. Have a nice day and stop commenting your negativity.

Yvonne G · Sep 8, 2019

turtlepiano said:
Holy cow. This forum has gone down hill. I am asking for advice from people who have dealt with similar situations. People with experience. I don’t need teenagers telling me what the relationship between my tortoises I raised from hatchlings was like based on a paragraph. If you don’t have advice please don’t post.

You're asking us to tell you it's going to be ok, but my personal experience tells me it's not ok, and that's what I said above. I'm sure if you wait long enough someone will come along and tell you sure, it's fine, go ahead and do it. But I was a turtle/tortoise rescue for many years, and my experience taught me that pairs don't do well and you usually end up with one that isn't growing, stops eating, languishes and eventually dies. (and I'm about 70 years away from having been a teen ager).

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

Yvonne G said:
You're asking us to tell you it's going to be ok, but my personal experience tells me it's not ok, and that's what I said above. I'm sure if you wait long enough someone will come along and tell you sure, it's fine, go ahead and do it. But I was a turtle/tortoise rescue for many years, and my experience taught me that pairs don't do well and you usually end up with one that isn't growing, stops eating, languishes and eventually dies. (and I'm about 70 years away from having been a teen ager).

You are the most knowledgeable person on this forum and the person I trust on here the most. I was not talking about you. You should be more sad than anyone on the state of this forum. Since I’ve joined you have been the most helpful person with you experience. I’ve read in previous posts you have told people it is doable with even multiple males. I appreciate your concern but I am going to do this so do you have any advice other than don’t do it?

Chubbs the tegu · Sep 8, 2019

turtlepiano said:
I’m really just using this forum as research to make the transition go as smooth as possible. I’m on day 5 of the introduction and each day has been better than the last (if anyone even cares). It’s a sad day when this forum has just become another trolling site. Have a nice day and stop commenting your negativity.

I understand it sucks when you dont get the responses that you want to hear.. nobody is hear to troll .. just trying to give good advice for the health of your torts.

Yvonne G · Sep 8, 2019

turtlepiano said:
You are the most knowledgeable person on this forum and the person I trust on here the most. I was not talking about you. You should be more sad than anyone on the state of this forum. Since I’ve joined you have been the most helpful person with you experience. I’ve read in previous posts you have told people it is doable with even multiple males. I appreciate your concern but I am going to do this so do you have any advice other than don’t do it?

Give them plenty of space with lots of different hiding places and sight barriers, a nice, big enclosure - or outside of that's doable. If you notice one doesn't grow as quickly as you think it should, that's a good sign he's being told to get out of the territory. Also, one hiding in a corner or not coming out to eat is a bad sign. A quarantine period is also in order so that you can be sure they don't make each other sick.

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

Yvonne G said:
Give them plenty of space with lots of different hiding places and sight barriers, a nice, big enclosure - or outside of that's doable. If you notice one doesn't grow as quickly as you think it should, that's a good sign he's being told to get out of the territory. Also, one hiding in a corner or not coming out to eat is a bad sign. A quarantine period is also in order so that you can be sure they don't make each other sick.

Thank you, Yvonne

queen koopa · Sep 8, 2019

turtlepiano said:
I know what following aggression looks like. These two were raised from hatchlings together for 7 years. They weren’t aggressive. When I say they followed each other what I mean is they got out of their holes at the same time, ate together, roamed the yard together. Never fought.

My ten year old has been in the yard for 3 years. He’s territorial now. I read another post that introducing them in a neutral site and weening them into the same yard can be effective.

Your other Sulcata died at 7? may I ask how? much space do they have?

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

queen koopa said:
Your other Sulcata died at 7? may I ask how? much space do they have?

Scorpion sting. About an acre with grass and trees.

queen koopa · Sep 8, 2019

Holy crap. Bark scorpion? I did not fear for my Sulcatas safety really from insects. Yeah if I see anything with a stinger inside her shed I kill it. Also keep ants down to a minimum if I can. May I ask your climate? I am in Las Vegas. We have scorpions and centipedes.

turtlepiano · Sep 8, 2019

I’m in Arizona

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