More than one?

I am going to getting my first tortoise hopefully in the next few months once I get proper set up- I'm leaning towards either Russian or Red foot I think. My question is a notice a lot of torts for sale advertised as a pair. Is it better to buy in pairs for companionship? Or could I have a happy one by itself? I don't want it to be bored or sad, do im (well, my husband) is building a table about 8x4' so maybe that could hold 2? I'm so new but very excited and motivated to be a tort mom.

They are solitary animals. It is recommended to never have a pair. One will be fine.

Others can do well in herds with ample space. ..but still never two.

In pairs...one will dominate and bully the submissive.

tortoises really do prefer to be alone selling in Pairs is best for the breeder not the tortoise

Russians are scrappy and very prone to fighting.
Redfoot are usually more docile, but neither want company and neither should be kept as a pair.

No to pairs.

It is unanimous, no pairs.

Check this one out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

@Seshaw2 , as a pair no. Get one and a pair of female rats for buddies. I'm being 100% serious here. Tortoises are not herd/social critters whereas rats are. I've collected many pairs of tortoises from people that got them as " friends" only to have one be dominated by the the other. And one thing I've learned, once a bully, always a bully.

I agree with
ZEROPILOT
no to pairs.

I would get one tortoise.

One it is!!! Thank you!

I've always wondered, since this question comes up so often, when people get a kitten or a puppy they never think of getting them in pairs. Why tortoises?

My best guess:

Cats and dogs bond with people - so at least some of their needs for companionship are met that way. Also, if you get two kittens or two puppies at the same time (in addition to it being much more work) there is the danger that the animals will bond to each other strongly, and not to the human owner. And people just don't like this.

We are not familiar with tortoises in particular (and reptiles in general) to the same extent so we'd assume that they need companionship and that humans might not do the trick.

spot on Rue!

I had a group of 19 last year in one big tub. Now there are only 3 and no appreciable difference in their eating habits.