Raph n' Ernie

[Hoarda]

Hi, We recently bought 2 x RT. Raph and Ernie, We don't know what sex they are as we were told they were too young. But think they are both male. They are 8 weeks old now and were in a party of 5. We have a wooden terrarium with front glass doors. They live together and were quite inactive for a week until we started bathing them everyday. Today they were full of life but started biting at each other. I have read many posts and now see they prefer solitary. Will it be OK to leave them together at this age for awhile? 3' by 2' enclosure.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Hoarda, and welcome to the Forum!

No, it's not ok to keep them together...as you have seen, they aren't happy living in the same space. Eventually one will grow bigger (the more dominant one) and one will fade, staying hidden all the time in order to keep out of the bully's sight. This could even lead to the death of the less dominant tortoise.

Another fact to consider is that your habitat is a good size for one baby Russian tortoise, but too small for two of them.

 

[Hoarda]

Thanks. Strange how the lady in the shop let us buy 2 and mentioned nothing of it.

 

[bouaboua]

So she can be more profitable for this sale. but I think she lost you as a customer for life. Some of the pet store owner or clerks not really know that much of all the reptiles they sold.

But Hello and Welcome. Good to have you here, We have no financial interest here just like to have a good place to learn and share.

Welcome.

 

[Hoarda]

The pet store said they were shocked to hear, and have offered to take back the aggressive tort. Which was very good of them. Thanks for the welcome messages. Will be sure to get involved in the community.

 

[dmmj]

Salutations.
If they were housed 0ut side, in a large enclosure, they might get along. Indoors is just to difficult to house together.

 

[RainsOn]

Welcome! They are adorable.