New poster w Russian tort (and oft-asked question to ask again, just to be sure!)

[IDigGraves94]

Greetings, All!

I'm new to the forum but just about 2 years into owning my tortoise, Chekhov. I've seen a lot of posts about keeping tortoises solitary, so forgive me for asking the redundant question: are tortoises really OK if they don't ever mate? Chekhov is about 2 years old now, and I know he'd be "solitary" in the wild, but surely he would mate at some point? I feel bad for the little guy if he needs some lovin'. Any insight appreciated!

Thanks,

IDG94

<--This is Chekhov

 

[Momof4]

Hi and Welcome!! Chekhov will live a long happy life without any lovin'

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[IDigGraves94]

Thanks! Just needed some reassurance

Hi and Welcome!! Chekhov will live a long happy life without any lovin'

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello to you and Chekhov, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Tortoises don't need friends, or lovers.
They are very happy on their own.
Though you may find, if he's a he, that he flashes his weapon sometimes and might take an interest in inanimate objects.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forum! are you sure on his age? from the pic he looks much older than 2.

 

[IDigGraves94]

I'm not sure at all - he was purchased by my ex, I don't know really know how trustworthy the seller was. How old do you think he is?

welcome to the forum! are you sure on his age? from the pic he looks much older than 2.

 

[IDigGraves94]

He does curl his tail to the side, so I think he's a he (is that right?)

Hello to you and Chekhov, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Tortoises don't need friends, or lovers.
They are very happy on their own.
Though you may find, if he's a he, that he flashes his weapon sometimes and might take an interest in inanimate objects.

 

[Tom]

They are perfectly happy all alone. They are not social animals and they do not need to breed. In fact breeding can cause quite a lot of stress and sometimes injury.

I encourage everyone to breed russians, but it is an involved process and not without some risk. Get into it and learn more about how to do it right if it interests you, but your tortoise does not "need" it in any way.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Probably, but an underside view of that area would help to be sure if you could post it.

 

[pam]

Welcome

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello your getting a lot of good info . Have a great tort day !

 

[KaitlinKeefe_]

he will be just fine alone! males can be bullies

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome !