Size diffrence

Kapidolo Farms

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In some species the male is larger in some the female is larger - for both aquatic and terrestrial chelonians. Even in species where one trends for larger males or larger females, and the opposite is the case for your animals, they can still successfully reproduce as long as they are mature enough for their individual contribution.
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Male Russians are on average a centimetre or two smaller than the females, but you may have a slightly larger male or a slightly smaller than average female, and also they can grow at varying speeds, especially if the male is bullying the female and getting half her food.
Tortoises, particularly Russians should not be kept in pairs.
Read http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pairs.34837/
also http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/bad-day-for-baby.114328/
for just some examples of why this is not good.
I am rather afraid you will have to separate them.
 

dmmj

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males can start breeding at 4 inches but usually 5 or 6 is a good breeding size that's when they reach their maximum size female should not even be attempted to break until they're at least 6 inches preferably 8. you may still have a sexually immature male that's why there's no bullying going on yet, has he flashed or anything?
 

JoesMum

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No bullying going on yet both chilled
Keep a very close eye. They are expert mental bullies. They don't cuddle up together for example... that's competition for the best basking spot.

Both genders are as bad as each other - and Russians have pretty much the worst reputation.

They are far more likely to breed successfully in future if only introduced to mate. The males are more likely to see the female as something to mate with rather than something to force out of their territory.
 

Tom

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They should not be living as a pair. Please read those links that Tidgy's Dad posted for you. They each need their own enclosure. Look like your female needs another year or two before she might be ready for breeding. She'll grow a lot better and be healthier if she has her own environment.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
 

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