Marginated Tortoises

[EllieMG]

3 years ago I bought 2 tortoises and was told that they were both girls, however it seems that now they've grown, one is a boy. Now I'm worried about them mating and I was wondering what age can marginated tortoises have babies?

 

[cmacusa3]

Why not just separate them?

 

[EllieMG]

I probably will once they can mate, but I can't find anywhere how old they are when they can

 

[cmacusa3]

I probably will once they can mate, but I can't find anywhere how old they are when they can

I'm happy to see they've done great as a pair. Usually it's recommended not to keep torts in pairs. Good luck and I'm sure someone can give you the info to help you out.

 

[BILBO-03]

3 years ago I bought 2 tortoises and was told that they were both girls, however it seems that now they've grown, one is a boy. Now I'm worried about them mating and I was wondering what age can marginated tortoises have babies?

It's not as much the age it's the size how big are yours ?

 

[EllieMG]

Yeah I just recently found that out D: but I bought them as babies and they are siblings so have always been together and there doesn't seem to be any problems. The only thing is that the one that is female is quite a bit smaller than the male. Is that normal for marginated tortoises?

 

[cmacusa3]

Yeah I just recently found that out D: but I bought them as babies and they are Dubois so have always been together and there doesn't seem to be any problems. The only thing is that the one that is female is quite a bit smaller than the male. Is that normal for marginated tortoises?

We have several very "experienced" members on the board that keep marginated I'm sure one will post shortly and that can help you out. If you post some pictures it may speed up things. They may tell you if both are male.

 

[EllieMG]

It's not as much the age it's the size how big are yours ?

The bigger one (male) is 510g, 18cm length X 17cm width
He smaller one (female) is 330g, 15cm length X 14cm width

 

[EllieMG]

We have several very "experienced" members on the board that keep marginated I'm sure one will post shortly and that can help you out. If you post some pictures it may speed up things. They may tell you if both are male.

Thank you so much

 

[cmacusa3]

Thank you so much

No problem, Post a picture of the underside and including the tail

 

[EllieMG]

The first picture is the smaller tortoise

 

[cmacusa3]

@HermanniChris do you think you can help her with a few questions

 

[HermanniChris]

It definitely appears as though you have a pair. The larger is a male without a doubt. Temperature sexing is never 100% so, it's no surprise that this has happened. Female Marginateds are not the easiest to produce anyway.

I would watch them closely and see how it goes. While pairs many times do not work out, many times they absolutely do. Without competition from another male, your male may "behave" himself more.

 

[EllieMG]

It definitely appears as though you have a pair. The larger is a male without a doubt. Temperature sexing is never 100% so, it's no surprise that this has happened. Female Marginateds are not the easiest to produce anyway.

I would watch them closely and see how it goes. While pairs many times do not work out, many times they absolutely do. Without competition from another male, your male may "behave" himself more.

Thank you so much, so do you think they could mate at this point? If they do I don't have the knowledge of what to do so i want to avoid it if possible

 

[HermanniChris]

They most likely will breed especially since T. marginata is the most prolific of the Testudo tortoises but not at this age/size. They have much growing to do.

Our females didn't start laying until they were around 2,000 grams. Our biggest male is 5,800 grams. Males of course come into maturity sooner so just keep an eye out. They can start "investigating" very young.

 

[EllieMG]

They most likely will breed especially since T. marginata is the most prolific of the Testudo tortoises but not at this age/size. They have much growing to do.

Our females didn't start laying until they were around 2,000 grams. Our biggest male is 5,800 grams. Males of course come into maturity sooner so just keep an eye out. They can start "investigating" very young.

Thank you so much! I've noticed that he sniffs her legs and follows her around sometimes, but I haven't seen any biting.
Also, if they do breed, will the babies be healthy as they are siblings?