Leaflysock
New Member
It's great to finally join this forum. I have been quietly reading up on all things tortoise for the past six months, because I wanted to ensure that I gave my torts the very best care possible.
I was originally looking for a single Hermanns tortoise, but wanted a male tortoise and so had to look for a more mature tort that was old enough to reliably sex. I am based in a London suburb and was surprised to find an owner offering two adult male Hermanns, together with their table and other equipment. I understand that it is advised not to keep two male tortoises, as they will fight and one will seek to establish dominance. Two females are sometimes ok and that the ideal male: female ration is two or three females to one male.
The current owner had inherited both the torts from his brother, who in turn had them from hatchlings, and they have never been apart in six years. He refused to sell me just one, so I am now the proud guardian of Both Stan and Ollie. Although they are both six and were born on the same day, according to their documentation, Stan is a little smaller than Ollie, hence the names. The owner tells me they very occasionally fall out but that they have never fought. Neither tortoise showed any signs of injury, when I looked at them. Having had them for a few days now, I find I am really enjoying the interplay between them, rather than the lonesome wandering a of a single tortoise. After hand feeding them today, Ollie went into his large hide but spread eagled himself, so poor Stan was blocked from entering. Rather than move him, I decided to employ some basic psychology. I enticed Ollie, not difficult, with some cactus leaves to the far corner of their table, whereupon he began devouring said food excitedly. His munching, or perhaps the smell caused Ollie to turn his head and one eagle black eye spied his companion eating. He 'rushed' out in order not to lose out and then Ollie happily walked into their little snuggle cave.
My question is, do you think this harmony will continue? I understand that it's possible when they get fully sexually mature, that there may be trouble ahead, but would the fact they were from the same clutch and have never been separated have any bearing on this situation at all?
Many thanks in advance for any advice given.
I was originally looking for a single Hermanns tortoise, but wanted a male tortoise and so had to look for a more mature tort that was old enough to reliably sex. I am based in a London suburb and was surprised to find an owner offering two adult male Hermanns, together with their table and other equipment. I understand that it is advised not to keep two male tortoises, as they will fight and one will seek to establish dominance. Two females are sometimes ok and that the ideal male: female ration is two or three females to one male.
The current owner had inherited both the torts from his brother, who in turn had them from hatchlings, and they have never been apart in six years. He refused to sell me just one, so I am now the proud guardian of Both Stan and Ollie. Although they are both six and were born on the same day, according to their documentation, Stan is a little smaller than Ollie, hence the names. The owner tells me they very occasionally fall out but that they have never fought. Neither tortoise showed any signs of injury, when I looked at them. Having had them for a few days now, I find I am really enjoying the interplay between them, rather than the lonesome wandering a of a single tortoise. After hand feeding them today, Ollie went into his large hide but spread eagled himself, so poor Stan was blocked from entering. Rather than move him, I decided to employ some basic psychology. I enticed Ollie, not difficult, with some cactus leaves to the far corner of their table, whereupon he began devouring said food excitedly. His munching, or perhaps the smell caused Ollie to turn his head and one eagle black eye spied his companion eating. He 'rushed' out in order not to lose out and then Ollie happily walked into their little snuggle cave.
My question is, do you think this harmony will continue? I understand that it's possible when they get fully sexually mature, that there may be trouble ahead, but would the fact they were from the same clutch and have never been separated have any bearing on this situation at all?
Many thanks in advance for any advice given.
