So I posted a few weeks ago this thread http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-8262.html about how my poor Tallis went missing, we put up posters, combed the garden etc only to find one morning Tallis sitting proud as punch on top of his outdoor hide. Whether or not he was returned, or decided to come out of hiding, we don't know, but either way he's back so yay!
And to business - I call Tallis a 'he' now with much more conviction that before as he has started doing some rather, ahem, manly things. In the time that Tallis was gone, we bought a new hermann, Mini. as i was still away on family business when she arrived, i didn't see their first interactions, but have had a very good account. Tallis was very deliberate in humping mini, following her around in and at one stage humping was complete with the mouth open conviction I have seen in videos. they are only babies - Tallis was hatched June-July 2008, and I'm not sure exactly with Mini but she is also around that age. I'm a bit worried i have a male and a female - I never wanted a tortoise for breeding. Mini has never tried the humping and is a quite a bit smaller, despite both being from the same, reputable breeder who says they are around the one year mark.
Also, and this may be nothing, Tallis and Mini were having a bath today and whilst Mini enjoys her baths Tallis was really thrashing to get out, to which I obliged as I think the waves were beginning to upset Mini. As soon as he was out he pooed a thick white gooey substance that in no way resembles any poo he has had previously. I know that white in the poo is common, but this was entirely white, and frankly, of a jizzy substance. He promptly headbutted Mini when she got out (Note: they usually get on fine. Tallis is a bit of a bully, climbs on or over Mini in a non-sexual way quite often, but in never phases Mini.), which was a first.
Anyway, i know it is a bit early for sexing, but i've enclosed some pictures in the hope that you'd give it a bash. I'm also pretty sure Tallis and Mini are different sub-species of Hermann, im thinking an eastern and a western, which may explain the size difference, but let me know what you think.
View attachment 2845
And to business - I call Tallis a 'he' now with much more conviction that before as he has started doing some rather, ahem, manly things. In the time that Tallis was gone, we bought a new hermann, Mini. as i was still away on family business when she arrived, i didn't see their first interactions, but have had a very good account. Tallis was very deliberate in humping mini, following her around in and at one stage humping was complete with the mouth open conviction I have seen in videos. they are only babies - Tallis was hatched June-July 2008, and I'm not sure exactly with Mini but she is also around that age. I'm a bit worried i have a male and a female - I never wanted a tortoise for breeding. Mini has never tried the humping and is a quite a bit smaller, despite both being from the same, reputable breeder who says they are around the one year mark.
Also, and this may be nothing, Tallis and Mini were having a bath today and whilst Mini enjoys her baths Tallis was really thrashing to get out, to which I obliged as I think the waves were beginning to upset Mini. As soon as he was out he pooed a thick white gooey substance that in no way resembles any poo he has had previously. I know that white in the poo is common, but this was entirely white, and frankly, of a jizzy substance. He promptly headbutted Mini when she got out (Note: they usually get on fine. Tallis is a bit of a bully, climbs on or over Mini in a non-sexual way quite often, but in never phases Mini.), which was a first.
Anyway, i know it is a bit early for sexing, but i've enclosed some pictures in the hope that you'd give it a bash. I'm also pretty sure Tallis and Mini are different sub-species of Hermann, im thinking an eastern and a western, which may explain the size difference, but let me know what you think.
View attachment 2845
Last edited by a moderator:
