Herman Tortoise - Should I get her a friend

Talula · 13-07-2010, 01:42 PM

Hi everyone my first post.

Sorry if this has been done a million times before but wondered if you would be able to help me. I recently brought a herman tortoise and shes 3 years old.

Think she's lived on her own for sometime but my mum recently brought one and that has been living with mine whilst she gets her table set up anyway they seem to be together all the time. My mum wants him back soon and I wonder if maybe I should buy (my mum) another as I won't want to upset my little lady.

Thoughts please! thank you in advance

herriotfan · 13-07-2010, 01:54 PM

Some people say they should be alone and others say they love company.
I think it's a personal choice for each owner. You know your own tortoise and you'll be able to tell if she's happier with or without her friend.
You will need to keep a close eye on them as they reach maturity and the male wants to mate, he'll pester her and it might stress her out too much. Are you prepared to split them up if this happens? Do you have room for another enclosure/table etc?
I hope your tortoise will be happy whatever you decide.

Welcome to the forum as well!!!!!!

TortBabe · 13-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Hi Talula and welcome to SW

As mentioned above, they can live in harmony for some time, and as they mature they can start to fight. I personally like my torts to have a little friend, I try to buy them in pairs. But I am prepared to seperate should they fight. Pics of your torts would be great if you have any!

mark r · 13-07-2010, 03:26 PM

ive got 4 that have been together since being 12 months old without any problems, they scialise realy well together.

Talula · 13-07-2010, 06:09 PM

Thanks everyone, think I'll see how the next few days go but don't think I'll be able to give him back!! I'll see if I can work out how to add some pictures

**16 shells** · 13-07-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talula

Hi everyone my first post.

Sorry if this has been done a million times before but wondered if you would be able to help me. I recently brought a herman tortoise and shes 3 years old.

Think she's lived on her own for sometime but my mum recently brought one and that has been living with mine whilst she gets her table set up anyway they seem to be together all the time. My mum wants him back soon and I wonder if maybe I should buy (my mum) another as I won't want to upset my little lady.

Thoughts please! thank you in advance

Hi Talula, welcome to the slightly mad Tort site

. One is ok, some buy a pair as said may need seperating at some point, not getting on, or males pestering females, can stress them out. The general rule is to not put any tort in with the originals till a Quarentine preriod has completed on the new tort.

Rekkimaous · 13-07-2010, 08:30 PM

I think it's up to you and how you feel really. They are quite content to live a lone.
The one issue you would have is, especially if one was male, is if one tort was pestering or getting agrressive with the other that you'd need room to be able to seperate them.

I only have the one tort, due to not having room for two tort tables, if i needed to seperate at any point.

EquestrianBabe · 14-07-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talula

Thanks everyone, think I'll see how the next few days go but don't think I'll be able to give him back!! I'll see if I can work out how to add some pictures

If you want to e-mail me your pictures, I'll post them for you. But I need to be able to private message you my e-mail and I can't do that until you have at least 5 posts

**Bindi** · 14-07-2010, 12:07 PM

As has been said already, whether you have another tort is totally your choice, but you must be prepared to separate later on if needs be

I'd also like to point out that any new tort should be quarranteened for at least 6 months before introducing to your existing tortoise.

13-07-2010, 01:42 PM	#1
Talula Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 25	Herman Tortoise - Should I get her a friend Hi everyone my first post. Sorry if this has been done a million times before but wondered if you would be able to help me. I recently brought a herman tortoise and shes 3 years old. Think she's lived on her own for sometime but my mum recently brought one and that has been living with mine whilst she gets her table set up anyway they seem to be together all the time. My mum wants him back soon and I wonder if maybe I should buy (my mum) another as I won't want to upset my little lady. Thoughts please! thank you in advance

13-07-2010, 01:54 PM	#2
herriotfan Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex Posts: 593	Some people say they should be alone and others say they love company. I think it's a personal choice for each owner. You know your own tortoise and you'll be able to tell if she's happier with or without her friend. You will need to keep a close eye on them as they reach maturity and the male wants to mate, he'll pester her and it might stress her out too much. Are you prepared to split them up if this happens? Do you have room for another enclosure/table etc? I hope your tortoise will be happy whatever you decide. Welcome to the forum as well!!!!!! __________________ Hubby (Phil) Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol) Granddaughters (Eva & Zoe) Dogs (Ellie & Alfie) Parrot (Peanut) Crested Gecko (Echo) Electric Blue Day Gecko (Bobby Blue) Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie, Twiglet & Percy)

13-07-2010, 02:47 PM	#3
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Hi Talula and welcome to SW As mentioned above, they can live in harmony for some time, and as they mature they can start to fight. I personally like my torts to have a little friend, I try to buy them in pairs. But I am prepared to seperate should they fight. Pics of your torts would be great if you have any! __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

14-07-2010, 12:07 PM	#9
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	As has been said already, whether you have another tort is totally your choice, but you must be prepared to separate later on if needs be I'd also like to point out that any new tort should be quarranteened for at least 6 months before introducing to your existing tortoise. __________________

13-07-2010, 03:26 PM	#4
mark r Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 370	ive got 4 that have been together since being 12 months old without any problems, they scialise realy well together.

13-07-2010, 06:09 PM	#5
Talula Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 25	Thanks everyone, think I'll see how the next few days go but don't think I'll be able to give him back!! I'll see if I can work out how to add some pictures

13-07-2010, 08:30 PM	#7
Rekkimaous Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 122	I think it's up to you and how you feel really. They are quite content to live a lone. The one issue you would have is, especially if one was male, is if one tort was pestering or getting agrressive with the other that you'd need room to be able to seperate them. I only have the one tort, due to not having room for two tort tables, if i needed to seperate at any point.

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