mating or what

[speedy]

Need some breeder advice.
Found my torts doing the wild thing. Thats good, but after a closer check, I can see he is only latched to the supercaudal/scute. Her tail is tucked and no engagement. Will she allow coupling?

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Spring is in the air!

Hope you find the answer to your question.

Maybe he should try some wine and chocolates first?

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I'm pretty sure it's up to her ... (as most of us women know! Ha ha!) He will probably bug her until she gives in (as most of women also know!)

 

[Tom]

I'm pretty sure it's up to her ... (as most of us women know! Ha ha!) He will probably bug her until she gives in (as most of women also know!)

Yes and when she does, she'll probably really like it and then bug HIM.

At least that's been my experience... with tortoises, I mean.

 

[GBtortoises]

Male Greek tortoises (and many other species) will mount females all the time, usually triggered by heat, light and with some species, humidity changes too. It doesn't mean that they're mating. The male may wish that he is! It is basically up the female whether or not mating is successful. When she is ready she will slightly raise her back end up, straighten out her tail and allow the male in. Some females will often sit motionless, with her head and front legs tucked in. When a female is not receptive she will sit with her rear end down, tail tucked tightly to the side, only allowing the male to get his tail just under the edge of her shell. In many cases the female will also try to escape the male or even thrash side to side to throw him off.

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Tom, you have been watching too many movies.

GB, I saw a clip on NG channel where, after mating, the female threw the male off onto his back and stalked away...

 

[GBtortoises]

"I saw a clip on NG channel where, after mating, the female threw the male off onto his back and stalked away..."

I've experienced that myself.

---

"I saw a clip on NG channel where, after mating, the female threw the male off onto his back and stalked away..."

I've experienced that myself.

Oh yeah, I've seen it happen with my tortoises too!

 

[speedy]

Spring is in the air!

Hope you find the answer to your question.

Maybe he should try some wine and chocolates first?

Well....I did bring flowers, SHE ATE THEM!! maybe a wine bath will do it.

 

[Candy]

I'm pretty sure it's up to her ... (as most of us women know! Ha ha!) He will probably bug her until she gives in (as most of women also know!)

Yes and when she does, she'll probably really like it and then bug HIM.

At least that's been my experience... with tortoises, I mean.

That is too funny I am laughing out loud right now. For some reason I don't think that you're talking just about your tortoises. If I didn't know better I'd think that you were bragging.

Maybe they just need a little time to work it out between the two of them.

 

[murdocjunior]

SO usually when will she let him in? Does sheneed to know him more or whats the trick?

 

[speedy]

Male Greek tortoises (and many other species) will mount females all the time, usually triggered by heat, light and with some species, humidity changes too. It doesn't mean that they're mating. The male may wish that he is! It is basically up the female whether or not mating is successful. When she is ready she will slightly raise her back end up, straighten out her tail and allow the male in. Some females will often sit motionless, with her head and front legs tucked in. When a female is not receptive she will sit with her rear end down, tail tucked tightly to the side, only allowing the male to get his tail just under the edge of her shell. In many cases the female will also try to escape the male or even thrash side to side to throw him off.

They have been together before but he never acted this way. I assumed she is sending the signals. We will see what happens. Could it be a subspecies problem. Pursall, author to Mediterranean Tortoises, strongly suggest that different subspecies, most likely, will not breed.

 

[GBtortoises]

Males often try to mate with females upon sight, sometimes regardless of surrounding conditions. Subspecies can, do and will breed with each other. I haven't opened Pusall's book in quite a while but I think he may be referring to different species, not subspecies. Subspecies of gracea do interbreed if allowed to in the wild and in captivity as do subspecies of hermanni. There are even cases of species hybridization such as Hermanns & Russians. I have not personally seen them, only heard of. But many years ago I did see some hybrid Marginated/Ibera offspring.