Sibi and I are the caretakers of three sulcata torts, two male and one female. The males are both normal and healthy, but Baby Runt is a rescue with MBD and other related health issues.
We have a big yard and let Baby Runt share the yard with the boys under supervision, but have on several occasions witnessed aggression by Baby Runt against the boys, especially against Beasty Boy.
For example, today I caught Baby Runt stalking around the yard, and, as soon as she spotted him, she turned toward Beasty Boy and began charging him. Beasty Boy, as if to anticipate the oncoming attack, lifted himself up and slowly approached. As soon as they met, Baby Runt tried to shove the gular region of her plastron into Beasty Boy's face in a swift stabbing motion, with the obvious goal of inflicting harm. Anticipating the attack, Beasty Boy pulled his head inside his shell, and I immediately separated the two in order to prevent the possibility of injury.
This is really odd, because Baby Runt is only 30 lbs and less than half the size of the boys. In fact, just nine months ago she was in critical care for one of her health issues, and yet now she walks around the yard as if she's the dominant tortoise.
Has anyone else ever seen this kind of female on male aggression in sulcatas? Please let me know your thoughts on this!
We have a big yard and let Baby Runt share the yard with the boys under supervision, but have on several occasions witnessed aggression by Baby Runt against the boys, especially against Beasty Boy.
For example, today I caught Baby Runt stalking around the yard, and, as soon as she spotted him, she turned toward Beasty Boy and began charging him. Beasty Boy, as if to anticipate the oncoming attack, lifted himself up and slowly approached. As soon as they met, Baby Runt tried to shove the gular region of her plastron into Beasty Boy's face in a swift stabbing motion, with the obvious goal of inflicting harm. Anticipating the attack, Beasty Boy pulled his head inside his shell, and I immediately separated the two in order to prevent the possibility of injury.
This is really odd, because Baby Runt is only 30 lbs and less than half the size of the boys. In fact, just nine months ago she was in critical care for one of her health issues, and yet now she walks around the yard as if she's the dominant tortoise.
Has anyone else ever seen this kind of female on male aggression in sulcatas? Please let me know your thoughts on this!
