New Tortoise Help

[Polybius]

Hey guys,

I got a hermann tortoise back in July, and me and my friend recently got him a younger counterpart to stay with him. The older tortoise is a lot bigger than the newer one, about the size of a palm (10 cm long), and the younger one is fairly small, the sales person told us this new one was recently hatched.

We brought home the new tortoise, and the introduction seemed to go well, but we have noticed that the older tortoise, Atlas, is biting the younger tortoise, P-Body. Atlas will occasionally bite the shell, legs and claws of P-body, but there are times where they will nap together.

Is this behaviour normal? what should I do if it isn't normal? Will they ever get along?

 

[Polybius]

Torts are solitary animals in the wild and can be very territorial. This type of aggression is common. You'll need to separate the two to protect P-Body (cute name, btw).

Welcome to the forum!

thanks for the quick reply!

How long should I separate them for? Would it help if we did separate them, but have them play together when we take them out of their tank? We only have one tank, and can't really afford to get another one right now.

 

[stinax182]

your tortoise doesn't do so well in pairs. sometimes if they've been together since hatchlings or they are the same size and both healthy, it MIGHT work. but the large tortoise is basically going to kill your baby. they require slightly different care so should be separate anyways. but the older tortoise is dominant and always will be so the baby has no chance. they must be separated indefinitely. i understand not having money but you're risking loosing the smaller one. you can buy a large rubbermaid container for 10$ and put the baby in that. honestly, the baby should not have to suffer because you didn't do the correct research. maybe you could return the baby or find a friend to care for it until you can.

 

[Yvonne G]

The bigger tortoise is trying to chase the smaller tortoise out of the bigger one's territory. You'll never be able to put them together. This is what tortoises do. They are solitary creatures and they chase any other tortoises out of their territory.

 

[Instinct]

Welcome to the forum!

I would recommend keeping the two away from each other for at least 30 days before any introductions. Otherwise known as quarantine, this will keep both tortoises safe from any illnesses or diseases the other one might have.

Also, as a few other members have stated, the behavior you witnessed is very common. Tortoises can be very territorial and will show exhibit some extreme aggression if another tort comes into their home.

I would personally separate the two as soon as possible. It doesn't sounds like Atlas is enjoying his new buddy and is trying to get P-Body out of his home.