cross breeding tortoises
 

Hi"
I have been a tortoise keeper for 15 years with a pair of testudo Graeca & just this past year with 3 horsfields(which I hope to add to to & eventually form a breeding group) my torts are kept apart & my hands washed before handling each species. A friend of mine has just purchased 2 adult tortoises from an elderly couple,against my advice( but what can u do?) the male is a hermans & the female is a marginated( both tortoises have been kept together for 10 years & are in perfect health ie clear eyes clean vent no RNS & the shells are emaculate ) the trouble is the male hermans is trying to mate with the marginated female.While my friend has no problem with this! I think he should seperate them & purchase different mates as Im not not even sure if they would be able to crossbreed? & if they did what use would they be? (only as pets for someone not interested in breeding with them )finally if anyone knows of any adult or sub adult horsfields for sale not too far from Bristol would they let me Know (thanks)
regards
Fred