More than one?

[Bertie1974]

As most of you are probably aware, I hope to buy my first tort in the summer, but I have a little question. Do torts get lonely? I know that torts are solitary creatures and in the wild would only get together to mate. I am looking at things from a human perspective and the thought of spending 80 years + on my own would be soul destroying. Just wondering what other members think? one or two?

Sam x x

All I can say is that my adults seem to do their own thing. If found together it is usually because there is food or a heat source there. The little ones do seem to like company. When I sell my babies the ones that settle immediately are the ones that go in pairs. The single ones tend to spend more time walking around and sussing the place out. Who knows whether they are stressed through loneliness or just more courageous Either way they are often found in twos or groups wherever they are.
Hope this helps

[Nikki76]

Hi!

I have read that tortoises are solitary, however, I have chosen not too keep mine on their own. My tortoises not only bask and eat together, but when heat and light goes off at night, they will also sleep together, despite having a choice of several hidy-holes. I have only met one tortoise keeper so far, that has just one tortoise, everyone else I know has two, three or more! One word of advice, if you are intent on not breeding, then I would recommend two females together. If you get a male and female, you will need to add at least another female, if not two, in order to divert the male from pestering just one female (which can cause her stress). Two males can be kept together, if very young, as long as there are no females present. However, they may fight and butt each other occassionally, if not given the space of a large garden.

Hope this helps

I have always found my torts do better in pairs, Although they do say that torts are solitary, my jersey babies follow each other, my two juveniles used to never be far away, but then Gus has started sticking with Yanni a little, but Tommy and Gus are never too far away from each other.

[Eire_Ade]

I have a goup or whats termed as a creep of Ibera tortoises living together perfectly fine, sometimes there is bullying over food by my little miss piggy tortoise, but on the other hand my first tortoise dug a golden greek lives on her own and is perfectly happy too.

Ade

[leggy]

I got one baby of sue but it seemed unhappy so i got another and Herbie instantly perked up.

[Beverley]

Hi, I recently got two Margintated babies, these were only sold in pairs and I have to say i think coming to a strange new environment I think they are happier as they have safety in numbers. It may be different when they grow up but its nice when the babies have company.
Beverley

[Ozric]

Hi !

My partner laughs at me for trying to work out what the 'relationship' is between the tortoises we have because its really very slight!

Personally I feel on some level they have an awareness that this is another tortoise of the same kind and I don't like the thought that they would live out their lives and never see another.

I have to add as well that for me having more than one adds to the enjoyment and fascination of tortoise keeping. If you have enough space and facilities for them I don't see why not.

[16 shells]

Hi Sam what species are you going to keep
Paul

[Pitcorthie]

I had the same question as you last year but in the end I decided to get four torts from Sue.They like each others company and always snuggle up together at bedtime.
In the bath sometimes one of them may rest their head on anothers shell which is cute
I would definitely recommend more than one

Sharon