aggressive greek tortoise - any advice?

ukphd · #1 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 07:00 PM

Hi
I have 2 greek tortoises - both males. One is approx 9 yrs old and good as gold, the other I inherited last year from a friend who passed away. I don't know how old he is exactly. He had been with my friend for 15 years and was originally found by her gran on the side of the road after having been involved in an accident (he has a slightly busted shell and only 1 eye as a result). Judging by his size I would estimate that he is at least 25, and probably much older. He's in good health and is eating and drinking well after coming out of hibernation a few weeks ago. He's a great character but he is a bit aggressive. He has a bit of a thing for brown or blue shoes. He butts them and bites them and ultimately mounts them. He has now started biting toes as well. I feel so sorry for him as he seems so frustrated. I suspect this is just normal Greek behaviour (from what I've read I know they do get aggressive) but I just wondered if there is anything I can do to distract him or to alleviate it at all. I don't keep the two males together of course as the big one just bites and butts, and tries to mount (!) the smaller one.
Thanks

messy_boy · #2 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Try to keep it in a dark place...
i mean give it a hole to live in...
after it feels safe and trusts you, it wont be so aggressive ...
BTW..my english is not very good..i hope you understand what i m talking about^^
Thanks!

ukphd · #3 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 07:12 PM

thanks - he's not really aggressive to people as such, he comes over and puts his chin up for a stroke. It's more the constant butting and mounting of shoes and things. If it's normal I don't mind but if there is anything I can do then obviously I want to help him

I do already have some dark places for him in his enclosure - he has a little cave thing which he likes, and also a wooden shelter he likes to sleep in
thanks anyway though

gtm · #4 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 08:16 PM

Get him some female company

helen234 · #5 (**permalink**) 29-03-2008, 10:31 PM

Hey...poor potential girlie....have you ever had a pair of greeks?

Believe you me he will get worse.....A harem would suit him fine....my male ibera is brilliant as long as he has space...he is 50 ish and very large and has around 50 ft by 20 ft with a 30 ft by 12 foot extension...that keeps him busy and his mind on other things

Ryegeckoman123 · #6 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 12:47 AM

I would give him some a lot of girls so he can be in paradise or put him into another tank. If they don hurt each other that bad than maybe you could keep them together. Maybe your little guy is pissing off the elder tortoise. Maybe he is teaching the fella a lesson.

Ryegeckoman123 · #7 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 12:48 AM

Why does your tortoises live in a 50' by 20' tank? That seems big!

tombraider · #8 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryegeckoman123

Why does your tortoises live in a 50' by 20' tank? That seems big!

im guessing helen means he has a 50 x 20 outside enclosure extention not a tank

helen234 · #9 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 10:37 AM

Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is 50 yrs old ++

gtm · #10 (**permalink**) 30-03-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helen234

Hey...poor potential girlie....have you ever had a pair of greeks?

Believe you me he will get worse.....A harem would suit him fine....my male ibera is brilliant as long as he has space...he is 50 ish and very large and has around 50 ft by 20 ft with a 30 ft by 12 foot extension...that keeps him busy and his mind on other things

I have 4 greeks but they're too young to be interested in that type of thing

- I would agree that a harem (rather like a turkish sultan) would be appropriate as opposed to a single wife.

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