2 year old horsfields biting. Help please!

judith · 23-06-2008, 09:37 AM

Hi I have just obtained 2 year old horsfields (2) and while feeding them this morning one (the ever so slightly bigger one) bit the other one on the head as it wanted the food it was eating. It has made a small mark as if the skin/scale has come away above the eye. Is this common or should I watch them?? She?? went into her shell and I pulled him? off. She seems ok and is eating again. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Beverley · 23-06-2008, 03:59 PM

Sorry I don't keep Horsfields but it sounds like it could be males you have and one is trying to be dominant over the other, it could be them settling in as well, I would keep an eye on them, it may settle, provide hiding spaces etc but if the bullying goes on you may have to separate.
Many keep this species so may be able to offer you better advice.

Beverley

tortoiseboy · 23-06-2008, 04:05 PM

Was it a vicous bite? or just a normal eating bite.
When you sayed you pulled him off do you mean he was having a proper fight?

If not it dosent sound like a dominance thing, as they usually go for the legs and butt each other when there doing that

Is the scale bleeding?
tortoises shed normally so it should grow back quite soon

sandy · 23-06-2008, 04:10 PM

You could try feeding seperately maybe. Or give them a piece of food of their own.

judith · 23-06-2008, 04:35 PM

Thanks for all the response. They were having their food when one bit the others head. He was watching her eat something then went for her face so I don't know if he was just trying to grab the bit of food. She (don't know their sex yet obviously) pulled her head into her shell and he still didn't let go. I picked him away and there is a white mark above her eye where he bit. It isn't bleeding. Poor thing.
I hope this is just a settling in thing as I've only had them since last wed. I'll keep an eye on them feeding as I do think it is food related although I am no expert.
Thanks again for the replies. I'll let you know if it continues for more advice.
Cheers

JayB · 23-06-2008, 06:22 PM

Mine had a white mark on his leg when I got him. He had rubbed a few scales off, it healed quickly though!
They remind me of teenagers lol! Soo moody sometimes

judith · 23-06-2008, 06:42 PM

Hee hee hee i'm not quite at that teenage stage yet although it feels like it sometimes!!

23-06-2008, 09:37 AM	#1
judith Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 21	2 year old horsfields biting. Help please! Hi I have just obtained 2 year old horsfields (2) and while feeding them this morning one (the ever so slightly bigger one) bit the other one on the head as it wanted the food it was eating. It has made a small mark as if the skin/scale has come away above the eye. Is this common or should I watch them?? She?? went into her shell and I pulled him? off. She seems ok and is eating again. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. __________________ mum to 5 kids, a husband, millie the boxer and Murray our horsfield!!! (2 yrs old) xx

23-06-2008, 03:59 PM	#2
Beverley Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,493	Sorry I don't keep Horsfields but it sounds like it could be males you have and one is trying to be dominant over the other, it could be them settling in as well, I would keep an eye on them, it may settle, provide hiding spaces etc but if the bullying goes on you may have to separate. Many keep this species so may be able to offer you better advice. Beverley __________________

23-06-2008, 04:10 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	You could try feeding seperately maybe. Or give them a piece of food of their own. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

23-06-2008, 04:35 PM	#5
judith Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 21	Thanks for all the response. They were having their food when one bit the others head. He was watching her eat something then went for her face so I don't know if he was just trying to grab the bit of food. She (don't know their sex yet obviously) pulled her head into her shell and he still didn't let go. I picked him away and there is a white mark above her eye where he bit. It isn't bleeding. Poor thing. I hope this is just a settling in thing as I've only had them since last wed. I'll keep an eye on them feeding as I do think it is food related although I am no expert. Thanks again for the replies. I'll let you know if it continues for more advice. Cheers __________________ mum to 5 kids, a husband, millie the boxer and Murray our horsfield!!! (2 yrs old) xx

23-06-2008, 06:22 PM	#6
JayB Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 239	Mine had a white mark on his leg when I got him. He had rubbed a few scales off, it healed quickly though! They remind me of teenagers lol! Soo moody sometimes __________________ My real name is George. 16 years old. 3 snakes, Damien, Sabrina, Molly. 1 Tort, Frank 2 GALS, Poppy, Alex.

23-06-2008, 04:05 PM	#3
tortoiseboy Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: My house Posts: 1,340	Was it a vicous bite? or just a normal eating bite. When you sayed you pulled him off do you mean he was having a proper fight? If not it dosent sound like a dominance thing, as they usually go for the legs and butt each other when there doing that Is the scale bleeding? tortoises shed normally so it should grow back quite soon

23-06-2008, 06:42 PM	#7
judith Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 21	Hee hee hee i'm not quite at that teenage stage yet although it feels like it sometimes!! __________________ mum to 5 kids, a husband, millie the boxer and Murray our horsfield!!! (2 yrs old) xx

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