Do I need to get...

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

I've had Rabbit, my female Greek Tortoise, for 2 months. She's roughly 6 months old. When do they start to mate? Do I need to get her a male in her habitat? What of they don't get along? Some advice, please. Thank you

 

[StarSapphire22]

She won't be ready to mate for quite some time. In fact, at six months, you don't even know if its a he or she...and won't for probably about 5ish years, when it hits tortoise puberty and starts displaying outward signs of sexual maturity.

Also, regarding getting a "friend", tortoises are solitary creatures and much prefer to be left alone. Having pairs is a bad idea that results in emotional and physical bullying. We have multiple articles on this on the forums. Please stick with just Rabbit..."she" is happiest that way.

 

[Tom]

They don't ever "need" to mate. Tortoise are happiest all alone as the sole king or queen of their castle, with no competitors or combatants. If you did want more than one, you would need a very large enclosure, one male and several females. Even then it sometimes doesn't work out.

Is that your tortoise in your avatar? Its pretty small, but it looks more like a russian than a greek. Have you posted pics of your tortoise yet?

 

[Yvonne G]

I agree with Tom. The tortoise in your avatar is a Russian. And Russian tortoises do not play nice with others!

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

Thank you guys for the advice. I thought she was lonely. I was told she was a Greek tortoise, but the idiots at Pet Smart don't know jack! I got her sick and everything, liars! I will post a few pictures. Help me to distinguish her background, please. Thanks!

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

This is Rabbit, a few days ago. Greek or Russian?

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

Here is another

 

[lismar79]

Looks like a russian....

 

[juli11]

Never ever a Greek! 10000% a Russian.

 

[StarSapphire22]

Definitely a Russian, and if bought from PETsMART, definitely older than 6 months. They sell wild caught adults and adult tortoises. Rabbit could be 4-10 years old, and maybe even older. There's no real way to know age. However if you give us some shots of the underside and tail area, we can probably sex Rabbit for you.

 

[tortoisetime565]

I agree with Tom. The tortoise in your avatar is a Russian. And Russian tortoises do not play nice with others!

I know that's right!

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

Thank you, all for determining the origin of little Rabbit.
The vet told me she is a female, by showing me the markings on her stomach

 

[Yvonne G]

"Markings on her stomach"??? Male and female Russian plastrons (stomach) look the same. You tell males from females by their tail. The male tail is very big.

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

They are all liars, aren't they? Gosh!
Will get a picture of her soon. She's sleeping.

 

[Yvonne G]

No, not liars...just uninformed. Because some male tortoises have a very deep concave plastron and male Russian tortoises don't, some uninformed folks think male Russians are female due to the flat plastron. Happens all the time. No biggy.

 

[Rabbit The Greek Tortoise]

Ok, here is a picture of Rabbit's plastron. I do apologize, but every time I would pick he/she up, I would be dogging pee and now, poop. So, I apologize for the following picture. Help me know of it's a he/she. Thanks, Tort Fam!