1960's imported tortoises

roedeane · 24-05-2007, 11:00 AM

Owing to my mother's death I shall be collecting 'my' 2 torts bought for me in 1960 shortly. One is a male Hermann the other is a female spur thigh - I know they shouldn't have been mixed but these have lived together for almost 50 years now - should I split them and find them a friend of the correct species( after quarantine) or should I leave them together but away from my other Hermanns?I know they were never wormed, so would this be a problem after all these years? The only health problem ever needing to be carried out was Henry has had his beak trimmed twice in the last 6 years.Lovely smooth shells etc, how I don't know as the correct info wasn't available back then. The other thought I have had, is that they have no paperwork as they were imported. Am I correct in thinking that I can apply to get them 'registered' as existing? Sorry for so many questions but I really want to do what's best for Sally and Henry as they were/are my first ever pets,Yvette

**sarah** · 24-05-2007, 11:04 AM

Has the male caused any problems to the female by butting? shell damage?

I would take a poo sample to the vets to see if they have worms, to be on the safe side.

kelly123 · 24-05-2007, 11:08 AM

hiya yes alot of the keepers would advice you to seperate the as you no they should not be mix i understand that you mightnot of had right info when you first got them but you can get it now but might iadd for there age you being doing alot of the right thing as for the papers i not sure about thoughs but a sure some one with better know how will be aloong to advise on that who i could be of some help

regards kelly

roedeane · 24-05-2007, 11:18 AM

Hi Sarah, no there's never been any problem with butting or biting etc. They have always had a really huge garden to roam so maybe this has helped. They do seem to have a 'bond' ie. they sleep together and graze in the same places together,Yvette

**sarah** · 24-05-2007, 11:31 AM

Personally, i would not split them up, they have been togther for such a long time, it would be a shame to split them up as long as there are not problems. Has she ever produced eggs?

roedeane · 24-05-2007, 11:34 AM

Yes, Sarah she has laid infertile eggs many seasons - I don't really want to split them as I think that possibly after all these years they are immune to any pathogens each one carries? Just knowing what we do now makes it a tough decision to make,Yvette

**sarah** · 24-05-2007, 11:36 AM

It could also cause stress if split up. Lets see what other keepers think.

Pussygalore · 24-05-2007, 11:40 AM

I read somewhere that when they have been together that long it can do more harm separating than any benefits to them .

roedeane · 24-05-2007, 11:43 AM

I have to agree about the stress factor - I've seen it happen when my old Dobermann died - it took 2 weeks before the other dogs would eat properly. To think of anything happening to Sally and Henry now is unthinkable - espescially if I caused it. I would really value other keepers opinions, espescially if anyone else has been through this,Yvette

Henry-flash · 24-05-2007, 12:01 PM

I would keep them together. If the male isn't doing any harm to the female with mating behaviour then I think it would do more harm than good splitting them up after all these years.

24-05-2007, 11:00 AM	#1
roedeane Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Notts Posts: 67	1960's imported tortoises Owing to my mother's death I shall be collecting 'my' 2 torts bought for me in 1960 shortly. One is a male Hermann the other is a female spur thigh - I know they shouldn't have been mixed but these have lived together for almost 50 years now - should I split them and find them a friend of the correct species( after quarantine) or should I leave them together but away from my other Hermanns?I know they were never wormed, so would this be a problem after all these years? The only health problem ever needing to be carried out was Henry has had his beak trimmed twice in the last 6 years.Lovely smooth shells etc, how I don't know as the correct info wasn't available back then. The other thought I have had, is that they have no paperwork as they were imported. Am I correct in thinking that I can apply to get them 'registered' as existing? Sorry for so many questions but I really want to do what's best for Sally and Henry as they were/are my first ever pets,Yvette

24-05-2007, 11:04 AM	#2
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Has the male caused any problems to the female by butting? shell damage? I would take a poo sample to the vets to see if they have worms, to be on the safe side. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

24-05-2007, 11:08 AM	#3
kelly123 Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: northeast Posts: 177	hiya yes alot of the keepers would advice you to seperate the as you no they should not be mix i understand that you mightnot of had right info when you first got them but you can get it now but might iadd for there age you being doing alot of the right thing as for the papers i not sure about thoughs but a sure some one with better know how will be aloong to advise on that who i could be of some help regards kelly __________________ HERMANN TORTOISE ,SONYA CLEO ,HERCULES XENA farewell to my warrior and thankyou for trying gone but forever in our hearts. LEOPARDS 4 farewell to my leos they had to go back but was happy to of help them in this short time

24-05-2007, 11:31 AM	#5
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Personally, i would not split them up, they have been togther for such a long time, it would be a shame to split them up as long as there are not problems. Has she ever produced eggs? __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

24-05-2007, 11:36 AM	#7
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	It could also cause stress if split up. Lets see what other keepers think. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

24-05-2007, 11:18 AM	#4
roedeane Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Notts Posts: 67	Hi Sarah, no there's never been any problem with butting or biting etc. They have always had a really huge garden to roam so maybe this has helped. They do seem to have a 'bond' ie. they sleep together and graze in the same places together,Yvette

24-05-2007, 11:34 AM	#6
roedeane Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Notts Posts: 67	Yes, Sarah she has laid infertile eggs many seasons - I don't really want to split them as I think that possibly after all these years they are immune to any pathogens each one carries? Just knowing what we do now makes it a tough decision to make,Yvette

24-05-2007, 11:40 AM	#8
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	I read somewhere that when they have been together that long it can do more harm separating than any benefits to them .

24-05-2007, 11:43 AM	#9
roedeane Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Notts Posts: 67	I have to agree about the stress factor - I've seen it happen when my old Dobermann died - it took 2 weeks before the other dogs would eat properly. To think of anything happening to Sally and Henry now is unthinkable - espescially if I caused it. I would really value other keepers opinions, espescially if anyone else has been through this,Yvette

24-05-2007, 12:01 PM	#10
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	I would keep them together. If the male isn't doing any harm to the female with mating behaviour then I think it would do more harm than good splitting them up after all these years. __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

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