Russian tortoise = aggressive?

[jerrybrowne]

Hi,
I know this is frowned upon here, but I have a baby russian and hermann in the same enclosure. Up to now this hasn't been an issue, but I noticed some very aggressive behavior from the russian towards the hermann today. This occurred during feeding even though there is always more than either can eat. Is this normal?

The russian is bigger than the hermann. I'm going to separate them during feeding, but I'm concerned that this aggressive behavior will occur when I'm not around. I can't build or purchase another enclosure for the time being. Ideas?

 

[coreyc]

Separate them two enclosures

 

[Jacqui]

I would separate because as you said, they will perhaps also have aggression issues when your not there to see it (and that will most likely be the case). There is often more a mental bully type aggression going on too at the same time. Think of it this way, you get beat up once (or even threatened to be beat up or just think you may be beat up), what would you do? You would start backing off and leaving areas (including the food area), whenever the bully would come around, so he ends up not even having to do anything nor really be close to you before your running off to hide or just entirely avoiding the area. Works pretty much the same way with tortoises.

Even with plenty of food right this second, survival instincts say to dominate the food source area so you always get your fill, even at the cost of the other animal., for tomorrow all the food may be gone.

What you already have working against you are two different species personality types, two individual personalities, two different sizes, just for starters. The one may show in his behavior to the other, that it's okay you be the dominant in here and both tortoises will seem to go back to being "buddies" and never have issues again. It may be peaceful for a day, a week, a year, whatever and then one day a war breaks out and one could be hurt. The question comes down to this: Why even chance it?

Almost forgot the other part..your question what to do. Can you subdivide the enclosure? How about just temporarily getting a fairly cheap plastic tote (should be able to find one for under $10 or so. Still too much? Okay go even cheaper, just as a temp enclosure, get a cardboard box, actually make it two. One big one for the enclosure and a smaller one to use as a hide. These two have lived together, so they already have each others germs, so let one have a day in the good enclosure under the lights and the next the other one. Just make sure it's warm enough for the one in the tote. How warm is your house kept? Meanwhile, kept piecing together a second well setup enclosure. Get the basic, bare essentials first, so the second tortoise can start having his own permanent enclosure.