My lesson, learned the hard way: Do not keep 2 tortoises together.

[biochemnerd808]

After the question has come up several times in the last week, I just finished making a blog post about why I don't advise keeping 2 tortoises, especially of the testudo/agrionemis species together.

Here is the link: http://tortaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/09/why-not-to-keep-2-tortoises-together.html

I hope this will prevent other tortoise keepers form having to learn this one the hard way, too! Thankfully, my story has a happy ending, but I personally know of several situations that did not.

 

[kjr153]

I wish this was not the case. I always fear my Sulcata wants a "friend"

 

[wellington]

Thanks for the link. Tom has been trying to get that into people's heads for as long as i have been on this forum and I'm sure even longer. Unfortunately, people will still insist their tort needs a friend or that it is possible to do. Not to say it isn't possible, but, the day you find out it isn't possible, could be a very sad day.

 

[biochemnerd808]

Since I myself thought my tortoises would be the exception (this happened several years ago, for the record), I can kind of understand where people are coming from. I hope that blog post will help just a little...

Thanks for the link. Tom has been trying to get that into people's heads for as long as i have been on this forum and I'm sure even longer. Unfortunately, people will still insist their tort needs a friend or that it is possible to do. Not to say it isn't possible, but, the day you find out it isn't possible, could be a very sad day.

---

Sulcatas can be some of the biggest bullies of all!

I wish this was not the case. I always fear my Sulcata wants a "friend"

 

[lynnedit]

Well done, Katie! Very helpful.

 

[Tom]

Very well written and informative piece Katie. It explains all the "typical" scenarios and related thought processes very well. I will refer people to it often.

 

[biochemnerd808]

Thank you, Tom and Lynne. Now I only wish I had learned that lesson the easy way... *sigh*
If it prevents even just 1 tortoise tragedy, I'll be a happy camper.

Very well written and informative piece Katie. It explains all the "typical" scenarios and related thought processes very well. I will refer people to it often.

 

[meh1911]

Re: RE: My lesson, learned the hard way: Do not keep 2 tortoises together.

Then one day, Roz matured. Roz discovered that he was a rapist little man-tortoise with needs and urges.

Hahahahahahaha that was really funny. Thank you for this.


meh1911 and Girdhari (A 3.5-inch long Indian Star)

 

[WillTort2]

Great piece; very informative.

 

[biochemnerd808]

Thank you, Will.

Great piece; very informative.

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

I passed it on, it's fantastic!


Sandy
Oregon Tortoise Rescue

 

[kanalomele]

Thats my girl! We all learn from the experiences of others. I feel like I have been shouting this information from the rooftops for the last 20 years... maybe I just need a blog!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

How is your group now? All living together? Any issues? I think I read you have a 1:4, right?

I just separated my male from the 3 females today. Even though they were in a 20'x6' well planted outside pen, I recently noticed 2 of the girls were hiding a lot more and the 1 female that was always out received more of the males "attention".
I'm now curious to see how just the 3 girls will do.


Sent from my TFOapp

 

[biochemnerd808]

Yes, I have 1:4, and it seems to work really well outside.

Outside in the 30'x5' enclosure (already wishing I made it bigger - will enlarge it!), they don't seem to have conflict. They each have their 'favorite' spots to bask and burrow. My male likes Timmy (female) best of all, so just to give her a break, I sometimes put him in a separate pen. The females don't seem to have any issues getting along outside.

Inside (cooler days) is a different story. I usually put 3 females into the big indoor table, the smallest female by herself (she gets bullied by the others when indoors) in a medium table, and the male by himself in the other medium table (4"x3"). If one of the females decides to be a stinker, she gets to hang out with the male for the day - he's not frisky this time of year, so nothing much happens.

Even when they are outside, I keep a keen eye on them though, to make sure they are all eating, one isn't hiding too much, etc. - Timmy is definitely the 'head female' (even though Lady is bigger). She patrols the whole pen, and must walk miles every day.

How is your group now? All living together? Any issues? I think I read you have a 1:4, right?

I just separated my male from the 3 females today. Even though they were in a 20'x6' well planted outside pen, I recently noticed 2 of the girls were hiding a lot more and the 1 female that was always out received more of the males "attention".
I'm now curious to see how just the 3 girls will do.


Sent from my TFOapp

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Thanks for the update!

Sent from my TFOapp

 

[Tom]

I love this sort of behavioral info and discussion. I'm very curious how all of mine are going to turn out and what sort of skirmishes I will witness.

I've noticed something with sulcatas and with some other reptiles too. When raised alone, they are often less tolerant of other animals later on. When raised in groups of other animals from an early age, they tend to tolerate conspecifics much better. Of course there are always exception in either direction. I'm very curious if being raised in groups will have this effect with MY Russian babies. Only time will tell.

 

[ben32hayt]

Hi I wanted to share an experience my friend had with his RT's. He didn't know much about tortoises and wanted one because they are cute. He had them in a 30 gallon tank and had two males which he would later discover is a huge mistake. He told me they were mating so I went to see what was going on he clearly had to make and one was dominating the other. The next week he realized one of the was missing an eye!
This is when he decided to give his tortoises away.

 

[biochemnerd808]

That is so sad!

Hi I wanted to share an experience my friend had with his RT's. He didn't know much about tortoises and wanted one because they are cute. He had them in a 30 gallon tank and had two males which he would later discover is a huge mistake. He told me they were mating so I went to see what was going on he clearly had to make and one was dominating the other. The next week he realized one of the was missing an eye!
This is when he decided to give his tortoises away.

 

[AZtortMom]

I love this sort of behavioral info and discussion. I'm very curious how all of mine are going to turn out and what sort of skirmishes I will witness.

I've noticed something with sulcatas and with some other reptiles too. When raised alone, they are often less tolerant of other animals later on. When raised in groups of other animals from an early age, they tend to tolerate conspecifics much better. Of course there are always exception in either direction. I'm very curious if being raised in groups will have this effect with MY Russian babies. Only time will tell.

Well said

 

[sibi]

I was one who had two sibling babies. As babies, they were inseparable. They soaked together, ate together, even slept together. I was convinced that my two were different and that they could be together possibly because they were siblings. Boy was I wrong. At about 5-6 months, there was definitely one who dominated the other. Even though there was no physical signs of bullying, I noticed that the one being bullied was just not thriving enough. I even witnessed when they were being fed, the one being bullied just stood there looking at the other eating. There was a long stare, then he took a nip at the other's face. Although he missed, I became alarmed. I also noticed very subtle changes in activities, eating, and overall demeanor. I decided to house them separately. It wasn't upsetting to me because I was just happy that they could feel safe. They both seemed to like being alone. About a year later, I discovered the two were males! So, I was so glad that I had separated them a long time before. I now have them in a huge backyard; however, the shyness and lethargic behavior continues for one of them. Even though they hardly cross paths, I still feel that the one is unhappy. I watch them both like a hawk. Neither one is incapable of defending themselves. In fact the one who seems unhappy is more dangerous than the other. He had shown that he could really hurt his bigger brother. I've discussed with my husband to split the yard altogether. My husband is against it, but we may just have to because the two sullies are not even 2 years old yet!