Hello everyone,

I am going to be getting another tortoise very soon and she is just over 4 weeks old. I have shared my news on another tortoise forum and received very negative feedback from the members regarding introducing a baby tortoise to a 1 year old tortoise. They are worried that I will experience problems with aggression as they say that Horsfields are known for their dominance towards other tortoises. I was just wondering if any of you have had a similar experience and what the outcome was. I really don't want to cause any harm to the baby tortoise but don't think that Ruby would react in that way. I am going to be making a couple of changes to my enclosures to provide the baby with some places to escape to if necessary. Helen, the breeder, has told me that there should not be a problem but I am just seeking reassurance as I only want the best for my tortoises. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Joanne xx 

I think I have solved the problem! I am going to make a larger tortoise table for Ruby and Lily which will provide more space for the tortoises to get away from each other. If there are problems I could put a divide in the table and give both tortoises a separate enclosure. What do you all think? Have I solved my problem? I really hope I have lol.

Joanne xx

Hi Joanne

Do you not have to quarentine Lily from Ruby or is that only when you don't know the breeder? Just interested to learn as they always say to separate for 3-6months

Jane

Hi Jane

If I can step in here. You are right it is normal good practice to quarantine new tortoises but really for a minimum of 6 months to 1 year.  Sometimes even a year isn't long enough as it can take 10 years or more for some diseases to show  so you are laways going to take a risk when introducing new tortoises.

I personally see this situation differently in Ruby and Lily's case.  They both have different parents - true, but the parents live together and all are well.  Both Ruby mixed with hatchlings from other mothers that shared the same enclosure as her own mother and so does Lily.  Both tortoises are well - so why quarantine them as they come from the same stock and no new tortoises have been introduced?  This is what I call a closed group which I know are a healthy group.

Now, I have just acquired 2 new tortoises myself of a different species and I will be introducing them to one of mine that lives on her own of the same species as them, but despite the fact their previous owner told me they have never been ill in the last 6 years of her care I am not risking putting them with mine just yet - to make sure (as best I can) that they are not bringing any disease with them that might affect my own tortoise.

It would be the same for Joanne if she got Ruby a friend from another breeder - she would have no guarantee that the new tortoise wasn't harbouring a disease so she would need to quarantine.

Hopefully that clarifies my view for you - or have I muddled your thoughts?

Helen

Thanks Helen! I am pleased you took the time to explain that as I can never find the words lol. I have always said, despite people telling me otherwise, that I wouldn't bother with quarantine as I trust Helen 100% and know that she would not allow me to put another tortoise in with Ruby that could have a disease. Now I can show people this message when they try to prove me wrong lol.

Joanne xx 

Hi Helen & Joanne

I thought that was the case but just wanted to check. I am thinking of getting another tort myself, but at the moment not sure whether to get another hatchling or an adult , just doing all the ground work at the moment. But it is really nice to know that if I do get a hatchling from the same breeder that keya came from that I can put them together straight away. This always puzzled me about the quarentine because like you Joanne with Helen, I trust my Breeder 100% too, and breeders like Helen. I do realise when you don't know the history of the tort, or if they are sick or recovering, then you would need to quarentine.
It looking more towards a baby...
Jane

Hi Joanne

I just read Elaines reply on another thread to Sharon and she was talking about choice.  You obviously still have the choice to quarantine if you wish.

Helen

P.S.  I have no objections to you showing people the message, but a better idea would be that rather than copy the message to show others why don't you suggest that they register on the TPG forum to read the message here for themselves ?    

         Helen

Hi Jane if it is to go with Keya then you would be better getting a young tortoise rather than an adult; either Keya's age or younger, in my opinion.  In Joannes cases we chose different parents to Ruby for her 2nd tortoise and that means they will be totally unrelated if 1 turns out to be male and 1 female and Joanne wants to breed from them later on.  Just something for you to think about. 

Also if you trust your breeder and you get another tort then ask if you would need to quarantine and trust his advice.  There may be a reason that isn't obvious why quarantine might be advisable.

Helen

Hi Helen

Would it be better to have 2 females or a Male and a Female?
Thanks

Jane

It's definitely better for 2 females, as when a male reaches sexual maturity there is the risk of him stressing the female out by him paying her too much attention.  The trouble is, as you are already aware, you won't know the sex of your tortoise until he/she is approaching sexual maturity.  (Nina will vouch for that) <vbg>.

Sex in tortoises is temperature dependant and some breeders incubate at slightly higher temperatures to aim for females (as in my case).  This is no guarantee of course, but it is useful to ask the breeder if he does this.

Helen

Hi Helen

Yes she did do higher temps to get all females. She seemed pretty confident that she had all females, but until Keya is 4yrs+ I guess we will never know.
I thought it was better to have 2 females but I always like a second opinion.
 I know that 2 males could/will fight.
Also do tortoises get lonely?
Jane

Hi Jane, At present I have 3 juvenile boys all together. There is a bit of pushing and shuving that goes on BUT if there is a female in sniffing distance then that would be a different story. Then they are competing for a different reason. For a quieter life then females together are a more relaxed group. As for being lonely - huge debates on this one, you could argue for both sides of this. I think at the end of the day it is what brings you the best outcome. Clear as mud really being a tortoise keeper.

Elaine

Hi Elaine

Yes I have learnt to do tortoise talk too teehee
At the start of  today I never intended on  deciding to get another baby tort, but I am just about to phone the breeder as she has torts ready to go, and see if she has a female  to accompany Keya.  
Joanne your question today certainly changed my day, in a good way though- thanks
My family laughed when I told them about another addition, they said they have been amazed it has taken me this long hmmmmmm

Jane

I'm pleased something good came of my post for you! Good luck in getting another tortoise! This will be something else we can help each other with lol. First it was hibernation and now it will be putting a hatchling in with an older tortoise!

Let me know if you get another tortoise,

Joanne xx

Hi Joanne

Never guess what, you really got me going. Next week-end I take keya down to see how she gets on with the babies, and hopefully come away with another little tort AND.......... we pick up an adult who has had a hysterectomy and needs to be on her own with no males. So Terry my husband is out in the garden banging away with wood and hammer getting all the enclosures done for next week-end. After a year of dithering and I have certainly gone for it big time, but I am really excited and really glad .. funny it all seems just right.
I am going to buy the fridge that you gave me the link for and then we can really get prepared... TPG folks beware Joanne and me will be on the loose..
When do you collect Lilly?
Janex

Well, Joanne and Jane are the girls to beat! I'm so excited for both of you -- can't wait to see lots of pictures. Is the adult from the same breeder, Jane?

Nina

Hi Nina

No she isn't,  She is the same species (Hermanns) but the babies and the adult will not be together, the babies are from the same breeder. The adult will have the run of the garden and the babies have their own pen. I am hoping it all works out, I have taken a week off work so that I can keep an eye on everyone and help them settle in, fingers crossed but any advice is always welcome as there may be something I haven't thought of.
Jane

OMG! I can't believe you are going to buy another 2 tortoises! Spur of the moment or what? lol. I wish my parents would let me be like that. Although, it's probably a good thing that they won't as I would have hundreds lol.

I will be collecting Lily in around 2 weeks time. I'm dead excited!

Joanne xx

I was going to ask about a similar topic so I thought I would write it here!

We are thinking of getting a  tortoise to introduce to JD as he may not be with us perminantly! Would it be best to get a hatchling or see if a juvenile or adult needs rehoming or something?! I've always wanted a baby but I'm scared I'll lose it they are so tiny!! haha. Also JD is a male around 7 years old so I don't know how he would be with a baby and not knowing where he has come from may be an issue with mixing them?

To put JD with a hatchling, JD being male would damage it. This is a NO. What JD needs is to be left alone as king of his patch or to have about 3 females for company. If you have one more female of about the same age he will PESTER her 24/7. They are basic in their needs; eat, sleep and reproduce. If you have the room a hatchling set-up could be easily started to meet your needs but not JDs', his are different <vbg>. I cried when I got my first baby tortoise so I can fully understand the attraction. HTH a little with the Christmas list. I do have my fingers crossed that Jd stays as you have such a bond with him.

TC

Elaine

thats what i thought! i think we'll look into rehoming some females in the future then, mum wants to leave it till im back from uni for good and then we can sort the garden out to have a big enclosure out there, thanks for answering my query :)

Your very welcome. Go enjoy uni with less commitments, there is plenty of time to commit to a daily duty of tortoises. When you are ready apply to rehome we'll be here. Go party for a few years !!!!!!

a not trying to be motherily Elaine

PS

what are you going to study? Anything to do with animal care, please promote the TPG!

haha im actually going into my 3rd year this year, so ill be moving back home pretty soon! im studying jewellery which isnt very tortoisey im afraid! although i could make tortoise related jewellery! haha.

Oooh now tortoise related jewellery this sounds really good - yes please!

Anon 

Homing new baby

Hi!  I'm new to this type of communication, but it looks fun.  I've got two Cherry Foots, a male and a female.  I didn't do my homework before buying little Princess Buttercup, so I guess my best bet is to close off a little enclosure in yard so that she'll be safe.  Would she be safe with the large female?

Hi, to our friendly site and this forum!

Can you tell me how old your torts are?  Have you just bought the female and hoping to introduce it to the male?  If so then its best to quarantine them before introducing them together.  Can you tell me whereabout you live?

Sorry for all the questions, it helps build up a picture!

Regards Vivienne