Help-paranoia??

kat4788 · 19-05-2011, 01:26 PM

Really sorry to pester you all, but I'm worried and wasn't sure who to turn to.

I've had my 2 horsefields now for 3 weeks (and 2days) and even though they are male and female they have been getting along fine.

Today I've put them both to feed and Anastasia has tried to almost fight with Hernandez by biting food from his mouth. Now at first I just thought she was being greedy as her appetite has vastly increased the past 2/3 days.
But then she went on to bite his leg.
After this she just waddle off, head up high, not a care in the world.

I know torts can get aggresive when they are ready to lay (or so I've read) But surely it's too soon???

Could she be a he even??

yuna1971 · 19-05-2011, 02:16 PM

Post up pics of plasteron - showing tail/bum and carapace and upload to the Sexing/ID section.

xx
Keep an eye on it though...Has this been happening frequently? Or only just started? Be aware that being 1 male and 1 female...once he gets the bit between his teeth he wont leave her be...So just be aware that the bottom line to all this might be the need to be to separate - so that will mean you creating more space.

But...first get the sexing pics up. Keep an eye on if it keeps continuing...but in the back of your mind think on the 'just-in-case' scenario, if you needed to separate.
If they are male and female then in due time (if it doesnt continue now) it might get worse - the more they grow. This breed are agressive in terms of their mating. But I also read on here of owners saying how they have now 'settled down' and the aggression has stopped...

See what others say - particularly Horsefield keepers.

xx Good luck.xx

19-05-2011, 02:57 PM

Hay ive got 2 horsfields and they have been together for 11 months now, in this time i have witnessed the same (pinching food and biting) but i have only seen it once. Its all about dominance and when 1 backs down it should stop however keep a very close eye and check shell and legs daily for damage and biting, hopefully its a one off xx

kat4788 · 19-05-2011, 03:19 PM

Thanks both. It hasn't happened before/since.
Just a one off occasion maybe?
I just thought I'd ask.
There's plenty of space if seperation is needed, but I'll keep an eye and go from there.

I've put posts up and people have said they are one of each.

Thanks again.

Eremiel · 20-05-2011, 08:58 PM

I have had mine nearly 3 months and they have only just started doing it. Its not just one of them getting moody its both (i spent a day watching them sad i know)

They fight with food and then curl-up together to sleep and bask so i just put in 2 piles of food (same amount as if it was one so they dont over feed) and they have one each..... no more fighting

Steph37 · 22-05-2011, 09:20 PM

She may be gravid, bu as they can carry sperm for years until the time is right, it could be that something has stimulated her to produce eggs. Or it could be plain old Horsfield behaviour! Steph

kat4788 · 22-05-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steph37

She may be gravid, bu as they can carry sperm for years until the time is right, it could be that something has stimulated her to produce eggs. Or it could be plain old Horsfield behaviour! Steph

Sorry what does 'gravid' mean exactly?

suttysue · 23-05-2011, 09:37 AM

Gravid means shes carrying eggs (I think). I have 3 horsefields and my youngest & smallest is very food agressive i have to watch constantly when I've fed them just in case she/he trys to grab the neck of one of the other 2. As said suggest you make another feeding point and seperate them at feed time even blocking the view from one feedig point to the other
Gud Luk
sue

kat4788 · 23-05-2011, 10:38 AM

I have tried seperating them and blocking her view during feeding time.
She actually bit my partner's foot yesterday.
Thanks for teling me what gravid is.
Think I'll be booking a vet appointment to be sure as she's showing all the signs.

19-05-2011, 01:26 PM	#1
kat4788 Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 208	Help-paranoia?? Really sorry to pester you all, but I'm worried and wasn't sure who to turn to. I've had my 2 horsefields now for 3 weeks (and 2days) and even though they are male and female they have been getting along fine. Today I've put them both to feed and Anastasia has tried to almost fight with Hernandez by biting food from his mouth. Now at first I just thought she was being greedy as her appetite has vastly increased the past 2/3 days. But then she went on to bite his leg. After this she just waddle off, head up high, not a care in the world. I know torts can get aggresive when they are ready to lay (or so I've read) But surely it's too soon??? Could she be a he even?? Last edited by kat4788; 19-05-2011 at 01:29 PM.

19-05-2011, 02:16 PM	#2
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	Post up pics of plasteron - showing tail/bum and carapace and upload to the Sexing/ID section. xx Keep an eye on it though...Has this been happening frequently? Or only just started? Be aware that being 1 male and 1 female...once he gets the bit between his teeth he wont leave her be...So just be aware that the bottom line to all this might be the need to be to separate - so that will mean you creating more space. But...first get the sexing pics up. Keep an eye on if it keeps continuing...but in the back of your mind think on the 'just-in-case' scenario, if you needed to separate. If they are male and female then in due time (if it doesnt continue now) it might get worse - the more they grow. This breed are agressive in terms of their mating. But I also read on here of owners saying how they have now 'settled down' and the aggression has stopped... See what others say - particularly Horsefield keepers. xx Good luck.xx __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025 Last edited by yuna1971; 19-05-2011 at 02:21 PM.

20-05-2011, 08:58 PM	#5
Eremiel Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 301	I have had mine nearly 3 months and they have only just started doing it. Its not just one of them getting moody its both (i spent a day watching them sad i know) They fight with food and then curl-up together to sleep and bask so i just put in 2 piles of food (same amount as if it was one so they dont over feed) and they have one each..... no more fighting __________________ 1:1:0 Testudo Agrionemys horsfieldii. 0:1:0 Pain in the bum Cat.

19-05-2011, 02:57 PM	#3
Terriandlola Guest Posts: n/a	Hay ive got 2 horsfields and they have been together for 11 months now, in this time i have witnessed the same (pinching food and biting) but i have only seen it once. Its all about dominance and when 1 backs down it should stop however keep a very close eye and check shell and legs daily for damage and biting, hopefully its a one off xx

19-05-2011, 03:19 PM	#4
kat4788 Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 208	Thanks both. It hasn't happened before/since. Just a one off occasion maybe? I just thought I'd ask. There's plenty of space if seperation is needed, but I'll keep an eye and go from there. I've put posts up and people have said they are one of each. Thanks again.

22-05-2011, 09:20 PM	#6
Steph37 Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 361	She may be gravid, bu as they can carry sperm for years until the time is right, it could be that something has stimulated her to produce eggs. Or it could be plain old Horsfield behaviour! Steph

23-05-2011, 09:37 AM	#8
suttysue Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK / Eng / Yorkshire Posts: 1,483	Gravid means shes carrying eggs (I think). I have 3 horsefields and my youngest & smallest is very food agressive i have to watch constantly when I've fed them just in case she/he trys to grab the neck of one of the other 2. As said suggest you make another feeding point and seperate them at feed time even blocking the view from one feedig point to the other Gud Luk sue

23-05-2011, 10:38 AM	#9
kat4788 Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 208	I have tried seperating them and blocking her view during feeding time. She actually bit my partner's foot yesterday. Thanks for teling me what gravid is. Think I'll be booking a vet appointment to be sure as she's showing all the signs.

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