can they be kept in groups if outside?

[Jennifer Nicole]

I only have one Tortoise... don't plan on getting another. But I wonder if they can be kept in a larger outdoor enclosure and be kept in a group?

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, if the tortoise yard is big and has a few sight barriers.

 

[JoesMum]

Yes, but...

- any new tortoise must be of the same species.
- It should also be of similar size to the other tortoises
- There should be no more than 1 male in the group
- Any new tortoise must be kept entirely separately in quarantine for at least 6 months before introduction to make sure that no tortoise makes any others sick.
- And there are no guarantees that they will get on. They should with plenty of space and sight barriers, but introducing a new tortoise could upset group dynamics and start off fighting resulting in the need to split them.

 

[wellington]

Yes, but, there is a chance fighting males would still have to be seperated. My two males are kept apart and in the summer, they have a large L shaped enclosure and still will find each other. Their fighting isn't bad, but that's because I didn't let it get bad.

 

[Jennifer Nicole]

Ah Ok... I was just curious. I do not feel like I have enough room for more than one. But I know some zoos and other wildlife places have them in a group. It was more of an "If there is an established all around the same age group could they co exist peacefully" question.

 

[Tom]

I read your question and then I was going to type out basically the same things that Joe's Mum said.

Groups are generally okay. It is pairs that are so often the problem.