Russian tortoises are not social tortoises. That said they sometimes tolerate other tortoises when housed together. However there are caveats to that… The most important is that the enclosure needs to be large enough to house multiple tortoises. If you’re planning on housing two tortoises in a 50 gallon storage tote, you’re bound to see signs of stress and possible bullying. Another important aspect to consider is the gender of the tortoises. Two female tortoises live together better than two male tortoises will.
Will My Tortoise Get Lonely?
No. Russian tortoises are naturally solitary creatures that can live a long, healthy live in a habitat all by itself.
Housing Multiple Russian Tortoises Together
Even though your one Russian tortoise will live perfectly happy and content by itself, you may want to bring another tortoise home. Ideally, the new tortoise will be housed by itself in a second enclosure. However if space is limited, quarantine the new tortoise for at least 30 days, ideally longer. Quarantining ensures the new tortoise is healthy and cannot pass parasites or worms or another illness to your existing tortoise when placed together.
Once you’ve passed the quarantine stage, two female tortoises can live together. It’s important to watch for signs of bullying and stress. Even though female tortoises are not typically as territorial as males, some female Russian tortoises can be more dominant than others.
You can reduce stress and potential bullying, put the tortoises in a larger enclosure. You do not want to house two tortoises in a small indoor enclosure. Either combine multiple storage totes for more space or build an indoor enclosure.
For an outdoor enclosure, the enclosure still needs to be large enough for both tortoises to have ample room and space to be alone.
Set up sight barriers, multiple houses and shelters and at least one food dish per tortoise.
Signs of Bullying in Russian Tortoises
Some signs of bullying are obvious, like biting, pushing, ramming and visible aggression, however some signs of bullying are very slight and can be misconstrued.
More common and less obvious signs of bullying in tortoises can include sleeping together, basking together and eating together. This is not necessarily a sign that the tortoises are best friends. These are subtle signs of bullying. One tortoises is likely trying to get the warmer spot or the better food. These are signs of mental bullying in tortoises.
Signs of Stress Two Tortoises Living Together
When two female tortoises live together, it’s important to know the signs of stress.
- One tortoise may not be eating as much as the other.
- One tortoise may hide more and bask less than the other.
- If the tortoises are still young and growing, one may not be growing at the same rate.
- Depression and lack of motivation.
- General lethargy.
