What are they doing here??

N3aDIA

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Hi. i don't know what are they doing here...seems like they are having a good time... but is it possible to mate with a different type of tortoise?? Upper one is Russian, bottom one is Red foot. it is not the first time..

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Alex Z

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Huge nooo nooo. Russians carry a strain of herpes that can kill any other family pet. Plus the weird combo. I hope you stopped this action.
 

Alex Z

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The redfoot needs a humidity, more wet enclosure. The hermanns and russian are more arid. Seperate them now!
 

TechnoCheese

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It's been several years that they have been staying together...

It doesn’t matter! Testudos like Russians and Herman’s are extremely territorial, and shouldn’t be kept with other tortoises at all, unless It’s a large group and there are many more females than males. The fact that they’ve been together for years just means that they’ve been living with the stress for that long, not that they are friends. They need to be separated immediately.
 

TechnoCheese

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StephandTay

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Huge nooo nooo. Russians carry a strain of herpes that can kill any other family pet. Plus the weird combo. I hope you stopped this action.
I did not know this. I handle my Russian probably once a week, he loves to hang out he always comes out when he hears my voice. I know its not suggested and its not often this happens but sometimes I will let him wonder around on the kitchen floor ( I am a clean freak so there is nothing for him to eat on it and he is watched) but while he is down there my Chihuahua will smell him and follow him around. Tiny (the torts name) isn't bothered by the dog at all. But can his herpes kill the dog? Humans don't get it do they?
 

Alex Z

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I did not know this. I handle my Russian probably once a week, he loves to hang out he always comes out when he hears my voice. I know its not suggested and its not often this happens but sometimes I will let him wonder around on the kitchen floor ( I am a clean freak so there is nothing for him to eat on it and he is watched) but while he is down there my Chihuahua will smell him and follow him around. Tiny (the torts name) isn't bothered by the dog at all. But can his herpes kill the dog? Humans don't get it do they?


Its not harmful to us but other pets. Please do not ever let him walk around. A dog is the last thing you want around a tort or turtle. Its asking for trouble. I handle my torts, but never ever let them roam the apt. I have 4 beagles and a cat.
 

Alex Z

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I did not know this. I handle my Russian probably once a week, he loves to hang out he always comes out when he hears my voice. I know its not suggested and its not often this happens but sometimes I will let him wonder around on the kitchen floor ( I am a clean freak so there is nothing for him to eat on it and he is watched) but while he is down there my Chihuahua will smell him and follow him around. Tiny (the torts name) isn't bothered by the dog at all. But can his herpes kill the dog? Humans don't get it do they?


Please watch.
 

Alex Z

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Can I see your tort and its enclosure?
 

DancesWithDinosaurs

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It's been several years that they have been staying together...
Please visit breeder, expert, rescuer Kennan (Kenan?) Harkin's YouTube channel and website. He is also an educator. Has 2 channels. Kennan Army and Kamp Kennan. He has a huge Florida estate with various reptiles. He let's certain adult torts be together in large habitats during the day, locks them up in specific house's at night. People that comment are very knowledgeable too. A tort vet would also know. Opinions change over time. I'm not up to date on this, but fellow poster's seem passionate about the situation. Separation during breeding time is wise. Not all torts are aggressive. It's quite individual for captive torts. Some enjoy company, other's are gators. I wish you success. Please keep us updated.☺
 

TechnoCheese

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Please visit breeder, expert, rescuer Kennan (Kenan?) Harkin's YouTube channel and website. He is also an educator. Has 2 channels. Kennan Army and Kamp Kennan. He has a huge Florida estate with various reptiles. He let's certain adult torts be together in large habitats during the day, locks them up in specific house's at night. People that comment are very knowledgeable too. A tort vet would also know. Opinions change over time. I'm not up to date on this, but fellow poster's seem passionate about the situation. Separation during breeding time is wise. Not all torts are aggressive. It's quite individual for captive torts. Some enjoy company, other's are gators. I wish you success. Please keep us updated.[emoji5]

The problem isn’t that they are keeping three tortoises together. Which CAN work (emphasis on can). The problem is that they’re keeping three tortoises of different species, and letting them mate. Tortoises carry diseases that are easily passed onto other species, and these are tortoises that require completely different care. For example, you can see the redfoot’s pyramiding from being kept in a dry, arid environment instead of a warm, humid one.
The reason it works for Kenan, is that he has a huge, open estate where the tortoises can escape from the other, and the bullying is spread out. However, even he said in one of his videos that he finds dead tortoises every now and then after one is flipped over from a fight. Also, he keeps one species with only that species, and he doesn’t mix.Tortoises will never enjoy company, but in some cases they will tolerate it.
 
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