THE NEWS (Portsmouth, UK) 05 July 07 Tortoise pays price of love (Elise Brewerton)
Two female tortoises have had to go under the surgeon's knife because of randy males.
Grandma, a 50-year-old rescue tortoise, has had to have some of her shell replaced with fibreglass because of the over active amorous attentions of her former mate.
The spur-thigh tortoise was in a woeful state after years of 'bashing', a mating ritual mating that left her shell cracked and infected and peeling off.
Now the Hampshire Tortoise Society is desperate for funds to help pay the £1,000 for both her and another tortoise, 100-year-old Phoebe, to have their shells repaired.
Maggie Bryant, from the society, said: 'Part of the mating ritual involves the male bashing the female's shell – literally knocking her into submission I suppose.
'As soon as spring is in the air they will not leave the females alone – they are literally rushing over to them.
'It is very stressful for both male and female – the male is so obsessed that he does not even eat – he can only think about doing it and he is so wound up.'
Grandma was rescued from an elderly lady who had left her to 'run' with a male tortoise every day for many years and she was constantly pestered by him.
Phoebe's owner was unable to cope with a male and a female and asked the charity to look after the pet six months ago. The pair are being treated by Emsworth vet David Vawer of Downland Veterinary Group – one of the only vets in the county who can do the surgery.
He said: 'Grandma's case is probably the most severe I've ever seen.'
He explained how the top layer of shell acts like a fingernail, protecting the bone which is just underneath. Bashing the shell bruises the bone and softens it, leading to cracks which are open to germs. It is not until it is quite badly damaged that the top layer cracks and you can see white bubbling scar tissue coming through.
Mrs Bryant, who has 12 tortoises at her Hayling Island home, said: 'It is much too dangerous to leave a male and female together – they must be separated unless mating. It is probably not too nice for the neighbours either, they make quite a noise.'
Tortoise pays price of love