Hello

[M_ell]

Hello,

I’m new to the forum today. I’m based in the UK and have two 4 year old Horsefield tortoises, one male, one female I believe. I came across this forum as I was looking into why they’ve become sleepy and not eating this last week. I’m finding lots of good advice in the threads and looking forward to learning more about your tortoises.

 

[wellington]

This time of year the species that brumate will start to slow. If you don't brumate them, then be sure to make their enclosure bright during the day and don't let temps go below 70 at night
Also do not house them together if you are. That is very stressful for them, the male will try to breed the single female to death or illness.
Are you sure one is of each sex? Lots of people sell them saying what sex they are but they can not be sexed as hatchlings. It takes them 3-5 years to be accurately sexed.
Post pics of their tail area top and bottom and we can be sure you have the sex you say.

 

[M_ell]

This time of year the species that brumate will start to slow. If you don't brumate them, then be sure to make their enclosure bright during the day and don't let temps go below 70 at night
Also do not house them together if you are. That is very stressful for them, the male will try to breed the single female to death or illness.
Are you sure one is of each sex? Lots of people sell them saying what sex they are but they can not be sexed as hatchlings. It takes them 3-5 years to be accurately sexed.
Post pics of their tail area top and bottom and we can be sure you have the sex you say.

Thanks for your reply. I have the light on 12 hrs on a timer. I’ve had them since 10 months old and as they’ve grown they’ve begun to look distinctly different. One is larger and looking at how to sex them, they do look to be different sexes. It would be good to get someone else’s opinion so I will take a photo in a moment and share.

 

[M_ell]

This time of year the species that brumate will start to slow. If you don't brumate them, then be sure to make their enclosure bright during the day and don't let temps go below 70 at night
Also do not house them together if you are. That is very stressful for them, the male will try to breed the single female to death or illness.
Are you sure one is of each sex? Lots of people sell them saying what sex they are but they can not be sexed as hatchlings. It takes them 3-5 years to be accurately sexed.
Post pics of their tail area top and bottom and we can be sure you have the sex you say.

Here is the first one. This one’s tail sticks out straight where as the other is curled around under the edge of its shell . One has a circular opening and the other elongated more like a line.

 

[M_ell]

This time of year the species that brumate will start to slow. If you don't brumate them, then be sure to make their enclosure bright during the day and don't let temps go below 70 at night
Also do not house them together if you are. That is very stressful for them, the male will try to breed the single female to death or illness.
Are you sure one is of each sex? Lots of people sell them saying what sex they are but they can not be sexed as hatchlings. It takes them 3-5 years to be accurately sexed.
Post pics of their tail area top and bottom and we can be sure you have the sex you say.

The other does not want to poke their tail out long enough to photograph!

 

[wellington]

Okay, so you have two Russians. They are not housed together right? Russians are really a species that should not be housed in pairs, actually none should be. They also each need their own 4x8 foot enclosure.

 

[wellington]

I think they are still too small to positively ID. If they are housed together, this can affect them sexually maturing at the rate they should and so will take longer to show its sex 100%. All tortoises look female until they do start showing their true sex.

 

[M_ell]

Okay, so you have two Russians. They are not housed together right? Russians are really a species that should not be housed in pairs, actually none should be. They also each need their own 4x8 foot enclosure.

They’re each in a 2x4 foot currently, half soft substrate, half straw pellets, with places to shelter, basking at one end so that they can wander away. One like to tuck itself under leaves to sleep, the other has a bark tunnel that they like

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

 

[TammyJ]

Hey there and welcome.

 

[wellington]

Get rid of the of the pellets, they are not good for tortoises. Use all orchid bark or coconut coir or combo of both.
They also need some humidity 50-80% and the pellets will mold.
Read the caresheet in the Mediterranean section to properly care for them.
Also a 2x4 is small for a 4 year old. They each need a minimum of a 4x8 foot.

 

[ShelledDreamer10]

Was only planning to say hi here but unexpectedly found a lot of good advice haha

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hello and welcome to the forum from South Florida USA

 

[Tom]

Hello,

I’m new to the forum today. I’m based in the UK and have two 4 year old Horsefield tortoises, one male, one female I believe. I came across this forum as I was looking into why they’ve become sleepy and not eating this last week. I’m finding lots of good advice in the threads and looking forward to learning more about your tortoises.

Hello and welcome!

Start here:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Cathie G]

Hello and welcome. I have a little male Russian.😊 pictures of the enclosure would also help every one give you some input.🤗