Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know they can be kept together, but do they thrive in groups? I know some lizards can become more aggresive when kept in groups, even same sexed groups. I want a friendly happy Redfoot!
Thanks,
Todd

While many tortoise species are perfectly happy alone, many keepers seem to have observed, that redfoots appear more sociable.
From my own experience I can say, that my oldest redfoot, who is 4 years old, has been kept alone for now, is friendly and seems content. My three babies, two 16 months olds and one one year old, have been together since they were 2 weeks and 6 weeks old. They seem to enjoy each others' company and can often be found close together during the day. They walk around and explore much more than the older one, even though that might be a matter of age or specific character as well.
Just for the night the little ones usually choose separate sleeping places.
So,- keeping them alone is fine, but observing them interact has added a whole new dimension to keeping this species for me.

Gaby

They must be!

I live where it has gotten below 60 F at night for a few nights running recently. I have two 6" and 2.5 10"-12" that I have brought inside to keep warm.. with no spot in the area any warmer than the other.. and they virtually huddle up together in one area.. with the exception of one or two that seem to prefer being alone.. inside or out.

Their outside enclosure is 500 sq. ft. with several sunny spots to warm up in.. and several of them still seem to like to congregate together! Their humid hide is 4' square and the little ones will literally climb up/between the big ones.. day or night.. a sight to behold.. funny!!

Yes.. Redfoot tortoise are amazing creatures..

Terry

i've thought about whether or not i'd get another one. if i decided to, do you think it'd be better to introduce another tortoise while he's still young, or does that matter? i thought that maybe if i waited til he was older, he'd be used to being an "only tort" and not want the company (sort of like how some cats/dogs are).

Ndugu is an "only tort," and we're still not even sure how old he is...his carapace is about 5.5" long from front to back, but we've had vets give us estimates between 2 and 4 years...Since he's CB and spent some time in a pet store before we found him (or her--still have trouble telling at this point), we're not sure about whether he would interact well with other RFs. He was living with a Greek when we purchased him (stupid pet store)...So, is there a good time to introduce another tort? I'm not sure whether we really have room for two right now, and I'm not sure whether we will any time soon...if we had to wait a few years, would it be okay? I do worry about him being bored while we're at work during the day, but I'm never sure whether he minds or not...

My GREGARIOUS... ones were all introduced to each other over a years period of time. Starting with 0.3 10-11".. then 0.0.2 6".. then 1.0 10".. then 1.2 11"-12". It appears Redfoots just seem to like each other.. regardless what size. The little ones will "steal" food right out of the big ones jaws!

You love the best!!!

Terry

We just brought a male redfoot home from daytona and are in the process of introducing the two. The male does not want anything to do with the female, and the female wants to be dominate untill you seperate the two, then she throws a fit and wants him back. So i will post after a week or so and update but there seems to be no real fighting between the two just a excited female! scott

Scott.. what is the size/ratio of these two?

You may want to keep them separate for a while.. one reason is to give him a chance to "de-stress".. among others. She may be picking up on this.

In this thread I've mentioned introducing new ones.. only after a 4-6 week minimum "de-stress" period.. adults or juveniles.

My 2 cents.. Terry

Thanks we have them seperated, they are very close in size male is about a inch smaller then the 8.5 inch girl. It will be a slow process we let them out in the yard every 2 days to let the get used to each other. They are our first tortises although i am not a stranger to them. We have had the female for a year. Thanks for the info and dont be shy to set me on the correct path if im off a little. scott

Give him time to get familiar with his new.. and secure.. surroundings! This is a time when the less you handle him the better.. you will know it's time when your presense doesn't bring "drawing back in his shell" reaction! This is possibly an animal that has been "on it's own" for what 8-10 years or more? Was he WC.. unknown past?

Give him and yourself time on this one. You're welcome to contact me personally.

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

Todd,

This pic was taken at 8pm.. "settled in for the night".. there are 6 of them here.. the one on top is close to 12".. with the 2 6" ones underneath.. this is how I found them.. I wanted to get this pic for you!

Ya gotta love 'em..

Terry

np

Well.. at least trying to be! This pic was taken that a.m.
She seemed to be more interested in the seldom treat of "sweet corn-on-the-cob" (the pyramiding "issue" has been addressed)

He was on a different female yet this a.m.!!! I may have pretty babies next year. (will share with all)

Thanks .. Terry

that's a riot how she just keeps on eating that corn. reminds me of a nature show i saw about the octupus: this male starts to mate with the female, and then she wanders off to forage for food while she's dragging him behind her!

awesome group picture, as well. i'm excited to see what kinds of lovely babies you'll have hatching!

Last winter a hatchling Hermanns shared the indoor pen with my juvenile Egyptian. Despite multiple hide spots, they always settled down for the night together. It made me go 'awww..." on more than one occasion!

Yes, I know you should never mix species. So sue me.

... a nice footstool