Aggressive hatchling behaviour

[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