Tortoise Forum

I've only been keeping this species since June of 2013 and I started with hatchlings. I'm planning on keeping them outside in a large backyard pen in warm weather and indoors every night. I have the males and females separated now. I have two 4x8x2' closed chambers. 5 tortoises in each. They will be a little cramped on cold winter days, but their outside enclosure is big.

I'm not sure how big they have to be to breed yet. One of mine is 2300+ grams already and a friend recently showed me a smaller one of his that just laid for the first time. My other four females are between 1000 and 1500 grams at 2.5 years old.

By the way, I am very happy and excited for you. I'd bet money that you will soon be as enamored with this species as I am.