Sorry this is so long, but some background:
I have had 2 adult females since 2/11. They previously lived together in a kiddy pool inside, in passable conditions.
The previous owner had them in this situation for 3 years. Previous to that, they were in a smaller plastic box for an unknown amount of time, with obvious dietary deficiencies.
So they have lived together for some time.
When I first had them, they were in a tort table inside, given the weather. The smaller female was the 'boss' but not overtly harmful to the larger one, just a lot of head bobbing.
I now have them in an outside enclosure about 20'x10' with plants, hills, hides, etc. Initially the larger female seemed to be taking dominance, and things were evening out. For some reason, however, the smaller female is starting to be very aggressive, just this past week. Today I caught her chasing, then biting the back legs of the larger (slower) one. More than once.
They are now separated. Head bobbing I tolerate, but the repeated biting was too extreme and not fair to the larger tort.
So my question: I have the option of expanding their enclosure further, with the idea of a small herd of 4-5-6 RT's 1:3 or 1:4 or 1:5. Does anyone else find that if they have MORE torts, it diffuses the aggressive behavior and they are able to co exist? (I know they live in separate territories in the wild).
Note: the male is still in quarantine.
Just interested in the experience of those with more RT's, particularly outside. It may be that there is always one tort that has to remain separated...?
I have had 2 adult females since 2/11. They previously lived together in a kiddy pool inside, in passable conditions.
The previous owner had them in this situation for 3 years. Previous to that, they were in a smaller plastic box for an unknown amount of time, with obvious dietary deficiencies.
So they have lived together for some time.
When I first had them, they were in a tort table inside, given the weather. The smaller female was the 'boss' but not overtly harmful to the larger one, just a lot of head bobbing.
I now have them in an outside enclosure about 20'x10' with plants, hills, hides, etc. Initially the larger female seemed to be taking dominance, and things were evening out. For some reason, however, the smaller female is starting to be very aggressive, just this past week. Today I caught her chasing, then biting the back legs of the larger (slower) one. More than once.
They are now separated. Head bobbing I tolerate, but the repeated biting was too extreme and not fair to the larger tort.
So my question: I have the option of expanding their enclosure further, with the idea of a small herd of 4-5-6 RT's 1:3 or 1:4 or 1:5. Does anyone else find that if they have MORE torts, it diffuses the aggressive behavior and they are able to co exist? (I know they live in separate territories in the wild).
Note: the male is still in quarantine.
Just interested in the experience of those with more RT's, particularly outside. It may be that there is always one tort that has to remain separated...?