Aggressive behavior?

Set · 10-09-2012, 01:23 AM

Not sure how to classify it, I guess. I got two greeks, from the same parents, but born one year apart from each other.

I previously thought one to be male and the other female but now not so sure. The oldest is 4 and the other is 3. I thought they were different sexed but now don't know because they seem to both have curved plastron. Still not sure I guess.

Anyhow, it started a few weeks ago I'd imagine. The younger of the two, who I thought to be female has been "ramming" the bigger one. When I was once visiting the breeder who I bought both of mine from his torts were doing the same thing. The smaller was the male and it was ramming the female as well. He said it was due to hormones or whatever and eventually the female would get annoyed and turn around to retaliate and try to flip the other one over or something, he made it said almost comical.

Well I'm not sure. Do two males do this to each other as well? I've never witnessed the older one reciprocating anything remotely similar.

I also caught the little one mounting the bigger of the two with it's mouth open once. I did get a picture.. I picked it up to see what's gotten into it and the bottom of the tail (where it goes into shell) was all damp. But if they are both males I'm not sure why they would do that? To show dominance or something?

Maybe they are different sexes then? I just want to make sure this behavior won't have any ill effect on the older tortoise. It does not seem to cause physical damage whatsoever and I've not seen any for of biting from either but I do not want the older one to be stressed out either. Maybe they need separating or something?

Any advice is appreciated!

Sorry for crummy quality it's a bad cell phone shot.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/57163447.jpg/

sandy · 10-09-2012, 07:43 AM

One male will try and dominate the other, to become alpha male.
Two females generally wont do this unless they are gravid.
Male and female will do this for obvious reasons.

Easter Bunny · 10-09-2012, 09:41 PM

You could post photos in the sexing thread and see what people think. x

Shelled Lady · 10-09-2012, 10:04 PM

We do need to see what the tails are like, so a plastron picture is required. I would suggest you seperate these tortoises. In the long run they are both going to suffer stress, so do it now before hibernation.

10-09-2012, 01:23 AM	#1
Set Junior Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 15	Aggressive behavior? Not sure how to classify it, I guess. I got two greeks, from the same parents, but born one year apart from each other. I previously thought one to be male and the other female but now not so sure. The oldest is 4 and the other is 3. I thought they were different sexed but now don't know because they seem to both have curved plastron. Still not sure I guess. Anyhow, it started a few weeks ago I'd imagine. The younger of the two, who I thought to be female has been "ramming" the bigger one. When I was once visiting the breeder who I bought both of mine from his torts were doing the same thing. The smaller was the male and it was ramming the female as well. He said it was due to hormones or whatever and eventually the female would get annoyed and turn around to retaliate and try to flip the other one over or something, he made it said almost comical. Well I'm not sure. Do two males do this to each other as well? I've never witnessed the older one reciprocating anything remotely similar. I also caught the little one mounting the bigger of the two with it's mouth open once. I did get a picture.. I picked it up to see what's gotten into it and the bottom of the tail (where it goes into shell) was all damp. But if they are both males I'm not sure why they would do that? To show dominance or something? Maybe they are different sexes then? I just want to make sure this behavior won't have any ill effect on the older tortoise. It does not seem to cause physical damage whatsoever and I've not seen any for of biting from either but I do not want the older one to be stressed out either. Maybe they need separating or something? Any advice is appreciated! Sorry for crummy quality it's a bad cell phone shot. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/57163447.jpg/

10-09-2012, 07:43 AM	#2
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	One male will try and dominate the other, to become alpha male. Two females generally wont do this unless they are gravid. Male and female will do this for obvious reasons. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

10-09-2012, 09:41 PM	#3
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	You could post photos in the sexing thread and see what people think. x __________________ Lynne x

10-09-2012, 10:04 PM	#4
Shelled Lady Member Juvenile Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South East Posts: 845	We do need to see what the tails are like, so a plastron picture is required. I would suggest you seperate these tortoises. In the long run they are both going to suffer stress, so do it now before hibernation.

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