Aggressive female hinge back any help please

[Cathy Norbury]

hi I acquired two hinge backs two days ago they had been kept in a 2ft Viv the female aged 10 and male aged 7 yrs. I have a 5ft vivarium and 8ft by 12 ft enclosure for them. Since they have arrived I have observed on several occasions the female to be ramming the male, lifting him in the air so he is writhing upside down on her back and depending where he falls, if he is unfortunate to land in front then she will ram again, or if he lands behind her he can quickly escape. I have checked there are no signs of biting, or injury. She doesn't appear to chase him, it's just if he is in the way. I am very concerned about this and would appreciate any advice offered.

 

[CathyNed]

Hi other Cathy. Welcome to tortoise keeping. Sorry to hear you are having problems so early on. You will get lots f help and advice here. It is not advisable to keep torts in pairs. They are solitary creatures who usually only socialise to mate. Two torts translates into a bully and a victim. You will need to separate these two befote one of them gets seriously injured. Most keepers here would not advise keeping in pairs.

 

[JoesMum]

Tortoises are not social creatures. They are very territorial and don't want, need or particularly like company. They don't get lonely and don't want a friend.

You have moved them to new territory and one is showing that she wants it entirely to herself.

In herds there is always a dominant tort. In pairs that translates into bully and victim.

They must be separated immediately before the victim becomes ill or worse. This will be permanent.

Please see these threads:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pairs.34837/

 

[JoesMum]

A 5 foot vivarium is too small even for one tort by the way.

 

[Anyfoot]

hi I acquired two hinge backs two days ago they had been kept in a 2ft Viv the female aged 10 and male aged 7 yrs. I have a 5ft vivarium and 8ft by 12 ft enclosure for them. Since they have arrived I have observed on several occasions the female to be ramming the male, lifting him in the air so he is writhing upside down on her back and depending where he falls, if he is unfortunate to land in front then she will ram again, or if he lands behind her he can quickly escape. I have checked there are no signs of biting, or injury. She doesn't appear to chase him, it's just if he is in the way. I am very concerned about this and would appreciate any advice offered.

What species of hingebacks are they?

 

[JoesMum]

You should find reading this helpful

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Jacqui]

While hingebacks normally do well in pairs or groups, you may have to seperate them The enclosure is much too small for them and that may be the main issue here. They also could use some sight barriers, which you really can not do in such a small space.

How often are they in the larger enclosure? How large are they? I am assuming size based on age, but that may not be true.

 

[Jacqui]

What species of hingebacks are they?

This would be very helpful to know.

 

[Speedy-1]

I would separate them !

 

[Cathy Norbury]

Hi they are bells hingebacks I got them from a pet shop which had them in a two foot vivarium for one and half years and assures me they were never aggressive. The viv is five foot, lots of hiding places and plants flowerpots the enclosure which they are out weather permitting is 8 ft by 12 ft again has lots of coverage and hiding places xx

 

[dmmj]

it's not fair to the other tortoise to be tortured like this

 

[Cathy Norbury]

They have been separated, I am confused as to whether both males or one female one male, any help appreciated. The vet has said from photos makes but taking for a sexing on Monday before she will positively confirm xxx

 

[Cathy Norbury]

it's not fair to the other tortoise to be tortured like this

Thank you I have responded sorry at the end of the post didn't realise I could answer you directly xxx

 

[Cathy Norbury]

I would separate them !

Separated and responded to post sorry put at the end, didn't know I could respond directly to you xx

 

[Cathy Norbury]

Hi other Cathy. Welcome to tortoise keeping. Sorry to hear you are having problems so early on. You will get lots f help and advice here. It is not advisable to keep torts in pairs. They are solitary creatures who usually only socialise to mate. Two torts translates into a bully and a victim. You will need to separate these two befote one of them gets seriously injured. Most keepers here would not advise keeping in pairs.

Hi I have responded didn't realise I could respond individually they have been separated

 

[Cathy Norbury]

it's not fair to the other tortoise to be tortured like this

Totally agree found extremely upsetting myself and now trying to find the best solution xx

 

[JoesMum]

You can post photos of the plastron and tail of each tort on here for sexing. We're cheaper than a vet.

 

[Cathy Norbury]

This would be very helpful to know.

They are bells hingebacks I have loaded some photos they have been separated and I have responded sorry I didn't realise I could reply individually to each comment I would appreciate any further advice you can offer xxx

 

[dmmj]

if you want to keep more than one you have to go for 3 or more. 1 male to 2 or more females so the aggression of the mail is spread out among more than just one female. Thank you for separating them your tortoise will appreciate it

 

[Cathy Norbury]

You can post photos of the plastron and tail of each tort on here for sexing. We're cheaper than a vet.