Do I have 2 different types of Tortoise?
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They appear to be the same species. The difference in coloration is just due to individual variation within the species.
I agree with Zovick. Same species. Russians can vary quite a bit in color, tone, and pattern.
There are no "breeds" of tortoise. Only different species, and in some cases, subspecies.
Your tortoises should be living in separate quarters. They should never be kept in pairs in the same enclosure. My apologies if you already know this, but it is life saving info if you did not know this.
Hey, thanks for your replies.
Yes I have heard different things about them living together. I've heard male and male is a no go but female and female is OK?
However, you can't tell their sex for up to 3 years.
I was told when given that one was a boy and one was a girl and I know which is which. However, how can I even tell?
Yes I have heard different things about them living together. I've heard male and male is a no go but female and female is OK?
However, you can't tell their sex for up to 3 years.
I was told when given that one was a boy and one was a girl and I know which is which. However, how can I even tell?
Not a good picture for i.d.ing the sex, but I'm guessing they're both young females simply because males have such big tails I THINK we would be able to see it in the picture.
It doesn't matter if they are m/f, same sex or siblings - torts are territorial, solitary creatures and it is very stressful for them to share small spaces where they can't get away from each other. The stress can affect their immune system and make them prone to illness, one will eventually become dominant and display bullying behaviour which is very subtle to start with - staring, following, nudging, mounting - often mistaken for affection, hogging the food and best basking spot etc,. but is really the bully telling the other to leave. One tort often ends up much bigger than the other. It then becomes more aggressive with biting and barging, one trying to tip the other over, which can cause serious injury and even death.
It can start from a young age and I believe Russians are very intolerant of other torts. So to make sure both torts have happy safe homes it would be better to separate them asap.
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Russian tortoises are one of the most anti social tortoises.
Any two of them will probably lead to a bloody mess at some point. But multiples can sometimes work if they have a very large outside area to live in with different places to "claim" for each one.
Lyn explained this very well and I agree with her. I would add that the only people who will tell you that are people who don't know better, or people who really want to sell you two instead of just one, and don't care about the welfare of the animals.
Here is a common result of housing two together. This owner was knowledgable and experienced and also didn't see any signs of bullying prior to this picture:
Bad day for baby.
My baby was attacked by an older sibling. Just a warning to those keeping their babies together. I had 3 babies in the same pen and today at noon i found this one with his eye missing. Has anyone ever had this happen?
tortoiseforum.org
I respectfully disagree, these are itty bitty and too young to determine their sex. Until 4.5" Russian tortoises all look female, unless they are an early blooming male that happens to 'flash' his boyt bits.
Talkinturtles
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that's not true. russian tortoises and many other types can live perfectly fine with others of their same species. russians are fine living with several in the same area, so long as it is large enough. we had an outdoor enclosure that was at least 12 x 20 feet. had 6 or 8 in there. they ignore each other for the most part, but there is no harm in it.
It absolutely is true. I said pairs. Not groups. Groups of juveniles are usually fine together, but not pairs.
Russians are one of the worst, if not THE worst for being territorial and aggressive. As adults, they often have to be separated. Did you click the link I left? Did you see the picture?
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