Newbie

[ClaireJackman]

Hiya, I've just re homed 2 2.5 yr old horsfields, they have been kept separate as the male has been nasty and made her bleed biting her, but I have read that their mating can be quite aggressive so is this normal?I would love to put them together to have fun but don't want to distress her. Also ANY tips would be grateful to give them the best life I can TIA

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Claire: Unless you want to raise baby tortoises, keep them separate. The male will keep pestering and harming the female and eventually she will stay hidden all the time to stay out of his sight. It IS normal, however, in the wild the female can get away from the male. In an enclosure, she is trapped with him.

 

[Tom]

Best to keep them separate most of the time and just introduce them briefly in the spring and fall for breeding.

Here are some threads to help you out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[ClaireJackman]

Thanks for replying Yvonne, I was thinking about it in the future, but I want to get every thing right first and make sure they are happy, I am a bit concerned about them getting cold at night too when I turn their lights off...my house isn't the warmest, would u recommend any thing I could put in or will they be ok?x

 

[ClaireJackman]

Best to keep them separate most of the time and just introduce them briefly in the spring and fall for breeding.

Here are some threads to help you out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Thanks Tom x

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

How cold is it at night? Russian torts can tolerate lower temps, but I wouldn't go under 65-70

 

[Tom]

Thanks for replying Yvonne, I was thinking about it in the future, but I want to get every thing right first and make sure they are happy, I am a bit concerned about them getting cold at night too when I turn their lights off...my house isn't the warmest, would u recommend any thing I could put in or will they be ok?x

What is the over night low in your house?

 

[ClaireJackman]

I'm not quite sure:-\ I'm gonna get a thermometer next time I'm in town...I've read about coco coir?? Is it worth getting some just Incase?x

 

[tortadise]

Welcome

 

[ClaireJackman]

Thanks, this forum is really good, glad I found it

 

[Gillian M]

Welcome to the forum! Take care: one tortoise could harm another believe me. I'd suggest your separating them so as to avoid such a horrible event. Good luck.

 

[ClaireJackman]

Welcome to the forum! Take care: one tortoise could harm another believe me. I'd suggest your separating them so as to avoid such a horrible event. Good luck.

Yeah they came separated so think I will just leave then like that, it wasn't very nice to watch :-( x

 

[Tom]

I'm not quite sure:-\ I'm gonna get a thermometer next time I'm in town...I've read about coco coir?? Is it worth getting some just Incase?x

These might help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/