Is this a Russian tortoise?

tellablue

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I took in a pair of Russian tortoises that belonged to an elderly woman who was afraid they would outlive her. My reptile veterinarian is the one who recommended me to take them in. I was nervous to do so because they were not well cared for and are a male and female who have been housed together for sixteen years or so. Their estimated age is between eighteen and twenty and they were first purchased at a Petco. I have had the female checked regularly to make sure she is not being harmed by the male- the veterinarian recommended I continue to house them together. The female has never laid a fertile egg and her vent seems to be fine. The male often appears to miss his target, usually positioning himself on the side. I am curious as to whether or not the female is actually a Russian due to her golden tones and facial structure. My veterinarian is not familiar with the different species, tending more to snakes.

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TechnoCheese

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Welcome to the forum!
It looks like a Russian to me, but they absolutely SHOULD NOT be living together. It is extremely stressful for them to be together, and mounting is both a way to display dominance, and evidence that the male is harassing the female. They absolutely need to be separated.
Please give these a read and come back with questions :)
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
 

tellablue

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Welcome to the forum!
It looks like a Russian to me, but they absolutely SHOULD NOT be living together. It is extremely stressful for them to be together, and mounting is both a way to display dominance, and evidence that the male is harassing the female. They absolutely need to be separated.
Please give these a read and come back with questions :)
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Thank you!
 

DARKFIRE007

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I am concerned after 16 years if separating them will stress or depress them....but I would do it anyway since he is "dominance mounting" the female.
 

tellablue

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Thank you. I had the same concern. I have them in separate indoor enclosures, but I have allowed them to be in the larger outdoor enclosure together. The female will burrow sometimes outside, but the two seem to spend a good deal of time side by side without too many instances of the male dominating.
 

TechnoCheese

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Thank you. I had the same concern. I have them in separate indoor enclosures, but I have allowed them to be in the larger outdoor enclosure together. The female will burrow sometimes outside, but the two seem to spend a good deal of time side by side without too many instances of the male dominating.

Sadly, them being side by side is another instance of aggression. That is one trying to shove or chase the other out of it’s territory. It would definitely be best to separate them for good.
 
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