Help! Family won't understand.

So I am a teenager, not yet 18, and cannot live alone yet, so I live with my family.

We kept two Russians in the same cage (both male) and I had spoken about getting a new cage. My dad kinda said ok, but no action has been taken.

Yesterday, one of my turtles bit the other. Or scratched, or somehow hurt! He was bleeding above his eye. We helped Sheldon and put him in a bath and cleaned his cut. But I've been crying and have been so, so, so worried! I love both of my little guys and don't want them to suffer! So my dad told me this; that he would go to the pet store (Winchester Aquarium + Pet Center) and would talk to some of the people there. I am hopeful, because from what I know, they are very knowledgeable. Nobody really understands why I'm so scared, and I don't know how to convince them. I'd even pay for a separate enclosure, I have enough!

More questions

My tortoise, Snapper (Russian tort) Also has an overgrown beak. Sheldon has a healthy beak, but I don't know how to shave it down. Would we need a special clip, or is there a certain kind of food/water dish that we could keep for his to shave it down? Do we need to feed him a special food?

Another

Does anyone here own tree frogs and know if two can be kept in the same enclosure? And how do you tell a tree frogs gender?

Thank you for reading

-SnapperAndShelldon

Ok there are plenty of long time tortoise owners on here with lots of experience, so i think you came to the right place.

First off, you are right you need to separate the male russians or they will only continue to fight!!!

Check out the caresheet for some extremely helpful guidlines here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/80698/

To trim down the beaks get some cuttle bones and let them gnaw on it. (Yes, the ones that go in bird cages should be fine!)

Stick around and this community will be able to give you more advice!
Good luck!

Why not give one of the tortoises away? If your parents don't understand, and won't let you have 2 separate enclosures, why keep them under stress? I'm sure if you posted an ad on here or craigslist you would find some pretty knowledgeable people with the space to accommodate your tort. And make sure to never get a second tort without having a separate enclosure ready for them.

Thank you both! I'll look into it.

To give one tortoise away would be the last possibility for me.
When you have the money to buy another enclosure for the tort, speak with your father.
Let him read this:

Male tortoises can`t be kept together when they are adult. They will fight with each other to get the other tortoise out of the territory. These fights will go on until one of them is dead.
Please let your daughter keep her tortoises but not together in one enclosure.

Thanks! We just went to the pet store to buy our frog crickets and asked the lady. She said it could've been about food? Didn't make much sense, but I told my dad that I am willing to pay for a new terrarium, and he agreed! I think we'll be getting it this weekend, and will keep a close eye on them in the time being.

At the pet store, we found a calcium food block by Zoo Med. "Tortoise Block" It says it helps with beaks, so we got it for snapper.

Thank you all so much for pointing me in the right direction. I feel that my family is now understanding.

It is possible that they bite each other for food, but to keep them alone is the safer way.
Great to read that your father agreed in buying a second enclosure. I am very pleased to hear that, and that you now feel that your family understands you.
You are a good "tort mummy". To take responsibility for an animal is sometimes not easy.

Thanks! I appreciate your help so much.

It was a pleasure for me to help you ( and your tortoises ).

best regards
Sabine

SnapperAndShelldon said:

Thanks! We just went to the pet store to buy our frog crickets and asked the lady. She said it could've been about food? Didn't make much sense, but I told my dad that I am willing to pay for a new terrarium, and he agreed! I think we'll be getting it this weekend, and will keep a close eye on them in the time being.

At the pet store, we found a calcium food block by Zoo Med. "Tortoise Block" It says it helps with beaks, so we got it for snapper.

Thank you all so much for pointing me in the right direction. I feel that my family is now understanding.

Click to expand...

I am glad things are looking like working out for you!
However, "keep a close eye" is not good enough as they have already begun to fight, and there will be more injury, maybe worse than already incurred. Find something temporary to keep one of them in. They need to be separated right now even if it is a cardboard box in a secure, warm place.
How are you housing them? Can we see some pictures to help us help you more?

Sure! I'll be going to my father's house in a few minutes (divorced parents) so I'll take a few pics for you!

Russians are one of the most territorial species and often fight and bully very aggressively. Including biting off tails, etc.
I was also thinking of suggesting giving one away. Maybe to a good friend and you can both enjoy the experience together?
Pet store employees are almost always never very good at giving tortoise care tips. Your Russians were not fighting over food. They are fighting for dominance and then they will keep fighting with the submissive one getting badly injured and ill.
On this forum there are members from all over this planet with real time actual experience.
As for the beak. I feed my Redfoot on cement slabs. They live outdoors.
You can try feeding on a piece of slate or an overturned ceramic tile rough side up. This way the beak gets trimmed as they eat. It also helps to trim nails as they walk over the areas.
Whatever you decide and whatever your parents allow you to do, best of luck. We will help any way that we can.

Here's the wound on him:

Is the eye intact?

Yes, perfectly. His eye is just closed.

Good.
It looks pretty minor compared to most.
I'd clean it and observe it for a few days for swelling or anything unusual.
This is much better than some reports we've had in the past with Russians.(fighting)

Thanks for the info.

EVEN GREATER NEWS!
So I was talking to my mother about this (parents divorced) and she agreed with me and said that if my dad said okay we could keep Shelldon (injured turtle) at her house. I'm pretty sure my father will say yes!

Great news ! Congrats !
I think your family understands you.

Great.
See?
Family DID understand.