Originally Posted by jimothy (Post 676102)

Thank you for your advice in advance.

We have recently taken on two hatchling spur-thighed tortoises, Pythagoras (P - hatched 18/8/18) and Darwin (D - hatched 21/8/18). Obviously we are nervous first time parents!

In most ways they seem to be progressing well, eating a mixture of weeds, pooping, sleeping by burying themselves, waking, active during the day. They live together in a standard tortoise table with lamp on soil/sand mix.

Initially P was 1gram heavier and the more active. Over last few weeks D has become active for more hours of the day, eating more and even aggressive or clambering over and even biting P (see YouTube video link below). P stays away from the food bowl when D is eating. P has now overtaken D in weight - which has not increased in last 4 weeks.


On inspection their eyes, nose, legs, shell, cloaca all look ok as far as I can tell.

I am guessing this is normal behaviour but am worried we may have to separate them if P fails to grow. I knew this would be necessary if one was female but wouldn’t have to cross that bridge until they were older.

Would it be helpful to put two lots of food out? Or anything else we can do?

https://youtu.be/xOEDdMbImNM

Originally Posted by sandy (Post 676135)

They look like iberas to me:0)
I have kept and bred them for over 36yrs, and they are great tortoises.

How long have they been together?
What space do they have in their enclosure?
What temps are you keeping?
You can get greedy tortoises, and iberas can be very greedy. When I had hatchlings like this I used to feed them separately.
Remember tortoises like us grow at different rates, and generally its females that are the larger of the species. As long as they are not losing weight I wouldnt worry.
Given time they will get used to each other. The odd nip is not going to hurt them, provided its the shell and legs. The vulnerable area is the eyes.
You look to have plenty of plants, maybe some barriers like large stones, pieces of wood. So they dont see each other all the time might help.:0)

Originally Posted by SweetGreekTorts (Post 676132)

I would separate them. I've had to do that with some of my hatchlings at times, and the smaller one always thrives when it has its own enclosure, own basking spot, own food dish, etc.

Originally Posted by jimothy (Post 676146)

When you say the look like Iberas does that mean they aren’t spur thighednot just a different type? The species definitions seem quite confusing!

They have been together since hatching in the same table - 4 weeks with the breeder then with us since then. They have a 90x45 cm table to share,the temp is 30-32 at the hot end and 18-20 at the cool end.

Most of the time they avoid/ignore each other but some more barriers i will definitely try and create more privacy with to avoid conflict.

I tried putting down two trays of food yesterday but they both went for the one they were used to but will keep trying.

Originally Posted by jimothy (Post 676147)

When you say separate you mean in a completely different table or just a barrier down the middle?

Originally Posted by emma_mcraf (Post 676150)

Just re-read this thread and realised they are only 2 months old. They’re quite young to be moved on by the breeder, but you seem to want to do the best for them so hopefully we can offer advice that will help.
Firstly, I’d increase the size of the table. They will need a bigger one eventually so it might be worth investing in one now. Then you can add the stones and pieces of wood as sight barriers as Sandy suggested. Potentially you could have two slates for food and physically put them singly at each one when it’s food time. Then you can monitor food intake and weight gain more effectively and hopefully the pair of them will get on better.
I never had trouble with my hatchlings at this young age, even males sharing. It’s when they get to about two years old that the aggressive behaviour can start.
So it’s worth bearing in mind that if you have two males, they may need separate tables eventually. That can be easily solved by ‘bunk’ style tables, one on top of the other, which doesn’t take up any more floor space.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Originally Posted by sandy (Post 676152)

I must have been lucky as I never in over 36yrs had problems keeping more than one male together. As long as they had enough space to keep away from each other.
But I think iberas are probably the most tolerant of each other when mixing males. As long as there is not a female in sight:0)