First, I have four tortoises - 1 juvenile leopard in her own enclosure, and then 3 other species of adult tortoises in another much larger enclosure. Regrettably, I think I have 1 female Greek, and then 1 male Russian and 1 female Russian all together. I bought the female Greek at Petsmart (before I knew better) and she was labeled as a Russian. Then I adopted a female and a male from a local rescue, Colorado Reptile Humane Society, and when I saw all three next to each other, I realized the one from Petsmart had to be a Greek. I can post pictures this weekend, but there really isn't mistaking her for a Russian now that I know how to properly identify them. I also feel pretty certain about the sexes too.
So - I've read the debates, and I clearly understand the risks of keeping different species together; however, I would like to note that the three are living together, and have been since last Spring. My issue isn't with the Greek, its actually between the two Russians. I've caught them twice now fighting, I think. Once, when I first brought the Russians out of hibernation (using refrigeration), the female rammed the male when I was soaking them, but once I put them in their large enclosure indoors (until I can put them out for summer), they haven't really messed with each other. Then, last weekend I stuck them in the outdoor enclosure during the day since it was like 80, and almost immediately the male seemed to be herding the female Russian, ramming her, nipping at her, and then finally mounting her. After awhile when I came back, they had separated and he had buried himself and she was eating. I check over all three each week during their soakings - and aside from the occasional shed on their front legs, I don't see any abrasions or wounds.
My concern is whether this is Spring frisky behavior, and ok if both are still eating, and appear to be ok - OR is this the fighting that people often talk about, and will require separation?
Lastly, I would like some additional input on the Greek-Russian thing. I was going to keep them separate after hibernation, and I put two book cases side by side and put the Russians in one, and the Greek in the other. But the Greek spent all her time trying to, at the time what I thought, was escaping. But she only tried to get into the other enclosure with the Russians, and finally succeeded on two occasions. So, I built a ramp and now they all 3 go back and forth and the Greek doesn't try to climb walls anymore... Thoughts? Just a note - they had identical set-ups, so it didn't appear she just wanted a more well lit area or warmer basking spot. Although, oddly, the Greek almost never hangs out with the Russians. The Russians will share their hides in both the indoor and outdoor enclosures, but the Greek always finds her own... They don't eat together - I usually feed at two different "plates," and again the Russians will eat at the same place, but the Greek doesn't.... And they seem to steer clear of each other when they do see each other out and about in the enclosures.
Sorry this was so long!
So - I've read the debates, and I clearly understand the risks of keeping different species together; however, I would like to note that the three are living together, and have been since last Spring. My issue isn't with the Greek, its actually between the two Russians. I've caught them twice now fighting, I think. Once, when I first brought the Russians out of hibernation (using refrigeration), the female rammed the male when I was soaking them, but once I put them in their large enclosure indoors (until I can put them out for summer), they haven't really messed with each other. Then, last weekend I stuck them in the outdoor enclosure during the day since it was like 80, and almost immediately the male seemed to be herding the female Russian, ramming her, nipping at her, and then finally mounting her. After awhile when I came back, they had separated and he had buried himself and she was eating. I check over all three each week during their soakings - and aside from the occasional shed on their front legs, I don't see any abrasions or wounds.
My concern is whether this is Spring frisky behavior, and ok if both are still eating, and appear to be ok - OR is this the fighting that people often talk about, and will require separation?
Lastly, I would like some additional input on the Greek-Russian thing. I was going to keep them separate after hibernation, and I put two book cases side by side and put the Russians in one, and the Greek in the other. But the Greek spent all her time trying to, at the time what I thought, was escaping. But she only tried to get into the other enclosure with the Russians, and finally succeeded on two occasions. So, I built a ramp and now they all 3 go back and forth and the Greek doesn't try to climb walls anymore... Thoughts? Just a note - they had identical set-ups, so it didn't appear she just wanted a more well lit area or warmer basking spot. Although, oddly, the Greek almost never hangs out with the Russians. The Russians will share their hides in both the indoor and outdoor enclosures, but the Greek always finds her own... They don't eat together - I usually feed at two different "plates," and again the Russians will eat at the same place, but the Greek doesn't.... And they seem to steer clear of each other when they do see each other out and about in the enclosures.
Sorry this was so long!