New and confused!

[amg2126]

Hi
I have joined this forum today and could use a little help.
My son bought me two, one year old Hermanns.
Different advice has left me totally confused.
As tortoises are solitary animals, am I okay to keep them in
the same tank? They are happy enough together - not bothering
each other yet sleeping together in their hide.
Also, I the shop where my son bought them said they would be okay
together but could not tell me their sex. Try as I might, I can't tell!!
Will try to get a photo to post.....
The first one is No 2 - the number written on his shell by seller - I'm
leaning towards this being female.
The second two are of No 4 who is the bigger of the two and spends
most of the time eating and lying in the food dish!! As you can see,
this morning it was strawberries for breakfast.
Any help at all would be gratefully appreciated. Thanking everyone in
advance.
Have a great day everyone!!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Welcome to the forum!

Sadly, tortoises are solitary animals, and yours need to be separated. In fact, they are already showing potential bullying: one being bigger, one laying in the food dish, and sleeping in the same hide.

They look too young to sex to me. You’ll have to wait a few more years before you can tell.

Please give these a read and come back with questions
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet(works for most testudos) https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Could we see a picture of your enclosure?

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[amg2126]

Hi
Sorry for the delay - was out walking the dog!!
I have attached two pictures of the tank which measures 34 x 22 inches.
Many thanks for your help.
Angela

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings!

If you are looking for suggestions to your enclosure, the one quick change would be to get a new (digital) thermometer, preferably one with a probe, and remove your old one.

The type you have are notoriously inaccurate, plus the reading should be made at tort level, not 3/4 of the way up the side of the tank.

Here is a link to the Herrman’s care sheet page... lots og good info

https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/hermanns-tortoises.80/

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

Good luck..

 

[Tom]

Pet shops are infamous for dispensing bad info.

Here is what I see:
Get a better thermometer.
No red bulbs. Use a CHE on a thermostat if you need ambient heat.
Get some orchid bark substrate and keep it lightly damp.
Get a humid hide.
Separate the two. You are already seeing the problems. It will only get worse, and one will likely not survive.
Put a flat rock under your basking lamp and check the temp there with an infrared temp gun or digital thermometer. Should be around 95F.
Are you soaking them daily? At least every other day?

 

[Yvonne G]

I think Techno Cheese meant to give you the link to THIS care sheet, not the Russian one:

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

 

[amg2126]

Many thanks for all your advice - have ordered everything suggested but would like to ask another question - sorry!
I am going to attempt to grown my own weeds and have bought various seeds and a trug on legs to do this. I know
I can't give them anything that has been fertilised so could someone point me in the right direct as to soil?
There are so may out there, I don't want to give them the wrong thing.
I have spoken with my local glazier who is going to cut and file me a piece of glass to divide the tank in half so that I can split
them up.
Thanks again for all your advice - it is much appreciated.