Quote:
Originally Posted by jimothy
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 |
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)