Advice on mixing torts.

STEWIE · 16-03-2011, 12:20 PM

Hi really need lots of advice if pos please. Ive got 2 male horsfields, six years old. Theyve been together since hatching (brothers) and get on extremely well but are starting to try and mate with each other and this morning one of them was covered in blood on his leg and tail. So ive made the decision (i think) to seperate and put one in with a 6 year old female whos kept on her own, even though i dont really want to split them up.
Shes alot bigger though and has always been on her own. My question is am i doing the right thing as the males do have a strong bond and get on well and dont seem to be stressed by each other trying to mate, is it a good idea to put one in with the female, she is alot bigger and if she is territorial would she bite, she does attack ornaments of torts ive put in previously?
Just need to know what to do as one minute when the males chase each other (which is eveyday) i want to seperate them, then after half an hour o so they settle down and snuggle in together and rest their heads on each other etc.
(sigh) could do with some advice please x

yuna1971 · 16-03-2011, 12:35 PM

Hi Stewie...
I would not put the male Horsefield in with the 1 female. He will pester her frequently and Horsefields are quite agressive maters.
I am afraid you might have to keep all 3 separate from eachother. For a male to be in with the other sex, you need at least 2 females.
The female it sounds is used to being alone. It would probably stress her alot to suddenly find a male in there and constantly harassing her. Leave her be I think.
How long have the 2 males been like this?? If this is happening every day, every other day - then yes I think its best they are all separated. If it has just happened, then see what happens in the coming days. But to be honest, I dont like the sound of these injuries that one is sustaining.
IMO - all 3 to be separated for now. xx

See what other replies come back and I hope things settle down for you and your torts. Good luck.

ClareandCo · 16-03-2011, 12:39 PM

From what I have read and understand Horsfields do not appear to be the gentlest of species when mating. That said, I do believe that 2 males really cannot be left together especially if one has injured the other. I don't think it is a case of let them work out who is in charge as such.

Should you put one in with the female he may well attack her too. If it was the one who was hurt he could attack her and in turn her him.

I would say that you need to have them housed separately - all 3 of them. I know they are not sexually mature at 6 so it could well be a dominance issue.

Hopefully, some more knowledgeable keepers will be about soon.

STEWIE · 16-03-2011, 12:56 PM

Hi thanks for replying. They have been like this fo a good few months now but it only seems to happen after they have food or a bath and then they behave totally nomal again. Its strange because i watch them to make sure theure not getting stressed and they dont seem to be, ive just checked them now and theye both propped up on the enclosue wall next to each other basking all sprawled out, seems the only one getting stressed is me

I think because theyve been togther since hatching and ive seen them as cute little things snuggled asleep in bed every night together its my human instinct to want them to stay together rather than whats practical for them.
Does them mating behaviour become alot worse?
Im not too concerned about the female as shes gigantic compared to them but if she bit then she`d probably kill the male, do females bite?
wish i knew what to expect or what to do for the best, x

shellonia · 16-03-2011, 06:19 PM

Afraid you should really separate-these things don't resolve as they get older

STEWIE · 20-03-2011, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the advice, ive now moved STEWIE the little terror to a temporary enclosure while i get a permanent one for him made. Hubbys not too impressed though cos hes got to make it lol, not to mention losing alot more house space.

iona_tortoise · 20-03-2011, 11:03 PM

hey have you thought about stackable housing it would save space and solve the problem.

STEWIE · 22-03-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iona_tortoise

hey have you thought about stackable housing it would save space and solve the problem.

Thats a great idea, ive seen the pics up of some and they look really good. Only problem i have is my torts each share a room with wood dividers as i love to watch them to have tons of space to roam and climb etc, ive got no kids so my torts have my spare rooms so i wouldnt be able to make stackable ones that big sadly

but the ideas a good one, thank you x

joekent · 22-03-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEWIE

Thats a great idea, ive seen the pics up of some and they look really good. Only problem i have is my torts each share a room with wood dividers as i love to watch them to have tons of space to roam and climb etc, ive got no kids so my torts have my spare rooms so i wouldnt be able to make stackable ones that big sadly

but the ideas a good one, thank you x

Sounds like they are a bit spoilt

STEWIE · 22-03-2011, 04:34 PM

lol just a bit, x

16-03-2011, 12:20 PM	#1
STEWIE Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: wirral Posts: 158	Advice on mixing torts. Hi really need lots of advice if pos please. Ive got 2 male horsfields, six years old. Theyve been together since hatching (brothers) and get on extremely well but are starting to try and mate with each other and this morning one of them was covered in blood on his leg and tail. So ive made the decision (i think) to seperate and put one in with a 6 year old female whos kept on her own, even though i dont really want to split them up. Shes alot bigger though and has always been on her own. My question is am i doing the right thing as the males do have a strong bond and get on well and dont seem to be stressed by each other trying to mate, is it a good idea to put one in with the female, she is alot bigger and if she is territorial would she bite, she does attack ornaments of torts ive put in previously? Just need to know what to do as one minute when the males chase each other (which is eveyday) i want to seperate them, then after half an hour o so they settle down and snuggle in together and rest their heads on each other etc. (sigh) could do with some advice please x

16-03-2011, 12:35 PM	#2
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	Hi Stewie... I would not put the male Horsefield in with the 1 female. He will pester her frequently and Horsefields are quite agressive maters. I am afraid you might have to keep all 3 separate from eachother. For a male to be in with the other sex, you need at least 2 females. The female it sounds is used to being alone. It would probably stress her alot to suddenly find a male in there and constantly harassing her. Leave her be I think. How long have the 2 males been like this?? If this is happening every day, every other day - then yes I think its best they are all separated. If it has just happened, then see what happens in the coming days. But to be honest, I dont like the sound of these injuries that one is sustaining. IMO - all 3 to be separated for now. xx See what other replies come back and I hope things settle down for you and your torts. Good luck. __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025

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16-03-2011, 12:39 PM	#3
ClareandCo Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,350	From what I have read and understand Horsfields do not appear to be the gentlest of species when mating. That said, I do believe that 2 males really cannot be left together especially if one has injured the other. I don't think it is a case of let them work out who is in charge as such. Should you put one in with the female he may well attack her too. If it was the one who was hurt he could attack her and in turn her him. I would say that you need to have them housed separately - all 3 of them. I know they are not sexually mature at 6 so it could well be a dominance issue. Hopefully, some more knowledgeable keepers will be about soon.

16-03-2011, 12:56 PM	#4
STEWIE Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: wirral Posts: 158	Hi thanks for replying. They have been like this fo a good few months now but it only seems to happen after they have food or a bath and then they behave totally nomal again. Its strange because i watch them to make sure theure not getting stressed and they dont seem to be, ive just checked them now and theye both propped up on the enclosue wall next to each other basking all sprawled out, seems the only one getting stressed is me I think because theyve been togther since hatching and ive seen them as cute little things snuggled asleep in bed every night together its my human instinct to want them to stay together rather than whats practical for them. Does them mating behaviour become alot worse? Im not too concerned about the female as shes gigantic compared to them but if she bit then she`d probably kill the male, do females bite? wish i knew what to expect or what to do for the best, x

16-03-2011, 06:19 PM	#5
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	Afraid you should really separate-these things don't resolve as they get older

20-03-2011, 02:01 PM	#6
STEWIE Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: wirral Posts: 158	Thanks for the advice, ive now moved STEWIE the little terror to a temporary enclosure while i get a permanent one for him made. Hubbys not too impressed though cos hes got to make it lol, not to mention losing alot more house space.

20-03-2011, 11:03 PM	#7
iona_tortoise Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: dundee, scotland Posts: 210	hey have you thought about stackable housing it would save space and solve the problem.

22-03-2011, 04:34 PM	#10
STEWIE Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: wirral Posts: 158	lol just a bit, x

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