Adding another tortoise

[Bubbatort]

Hi! So overall Bubba has been doing great and all and I've learned a lot about him though my time with him so far. For some reason my mom loved having a tortoise! She was so happy that she said she "may" let me get another one. So I'm going to wait until winter is over so I can see if I'll be ok with getting another one. But my mom wants to get a girl. I have a boy named Bubba and I want to avoid babies. I heard you should crush their eggs if she lays any. Is that true? Also will a combined zoo med tortoise house be ok for both of them?

 

[mike taylor]

Crush eggs? ??? What? ???? You dont have to keep them but why waste them . Do you have animal that will eat eggs . As for getting a new tortoise I say go for it . But make sure you have the room to have two enclosures . I Would never put a new tortoise with my guys unless quarantined . Plus two tortoises in one small enclosure is a bad idea . They will fight for everything food, water, hides, and what not .

 

[Tom]

Tortoises should not be kept in pairs. They don't need or even want company. Putting two together usually results in combat, or one being attacked with no way to escape. If you want another one, then house them separately.

The ZooMed house is too small for one tortoise, so it will be way too small for more than one.

And don't forget a long quarantine period. My vet recommends 12 months.

I don't know what species you have, but it looks like a russian in your avatar. All three of the above points are ESPECIALLY true for russians.


So say you end up with a male and female, they get quarantined, and somehow they make eggs. You really ought not damage those eggs. If you don't want the babies, then please try to find someone who does and knows how to incubate them. Many wild caught russians are imported every year, and captive breeding will reduce the need for these. Everyone with russians ought to be making an effort to breed them in my opinion.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

People crush red eared slider eggs because they have become invasive, driving out native species, and there are so many that rescues can't take them and they are nearly impossible to rehome. No other turtle or tortoise is in that state. Many others are endangered.

If you do not wish to breed, do not put males and females together. Don't expose the female to the bullying and abuse that wouId follow. If you do wish to breed, get at least 3 females. They don't pair bond, and they don't need friends. Your mom's idea of how this would work is sweet but utterly misinformed.

My advice? Get experience with the one you have for a few years before thinking about more. They're addictive, sure. Bet you you'll end up rescuing some over time, but don't do it yet. 2 Russians are a recipe for disaster. Two habitats is a lot of equipment & electricity. And they want a lot of room.

 

[Laura]

my one Russian was in a 4x8 area.. ok for two IF they get a long and have plenty of hides.. get a second.. but house them apart... not together.

 

[Yvonne G]

Tortoises are not 'herd' type animals. They don't want or need the companionship of other tortoises in order to be happy. If you give your tortoise a companion, you will end up with two stressed tortoises and one of them will be dominant, the other more submissive. The submissive tortoise will try to get out of the other's territory, and being unable to do so will stay hidden and stop eating. Having more than one tortoise in the same habitat works ok outside in a large well-planted area, but hardly ever works out indoors.

 

[Bubbatort]

my one Russian was in a 4x8 area.. ok for two IF they get a long and have plenty of hides.. get a second.. but house them apart... not together.

What if I housed him with her after she gets bigger than him. Do you think he may not pester her as much?

 

[Bubbatort]

Tortoises are not 'herd' type animals. They don't want or need the companionship of other tortoises in order to be happy. If you give your tortoise a companion, you will end up with two stressed tortoises and one of them will be dominant, the other more submissive. The submissive tortoise will try to get out of the other's territory, and being unable to do so will stay hidden and stop eating. Having more than one tortoise in the same habitat works ok outside in a large well-planted area, but hardly ever works out indoors.

The zoo med tortoise house can be connected with another. Together they are 6 feet by 3 feet. They have to DIfferent rooms as hides. Would that work if each tortoise had their own room? I also am happy to take them out for fresh air everyday for about 2 hours sometimes even more.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Males don't care that they're outweighed by the females. Olga is about 4 times Uncle Vanya's size, and she's the prime object of his attention. Aunt Maude is more than twice his size, and used to be his favorite. I think Anja just wants to leave the group entirely.

No amount of hoping yours will be different or wishful thinking will change the outcome. You must not keep two together.

Some of us earned our experience the hard way. Please benefit from it.

Get a second tortoise if you want one- or if your mom wants one- but on the understanding that they won't live together. Don't get invested in a happy story that isn't true and put that above the health and well being of the animal.