Hi. This is my dilemma that I need help on. As a tort virgin -but wanted one for donkeys years- Ive now have the opportunity of a breeding pair of Horsfields. I understand that these are the easiest for a beginner, but Im in a quandary as the male is at present with three females, only one which he will mate with (this is the pair offered). Would I have to buy more females or would it be better just to keep them seperate for periods? Any advice gratefully received.

Buy 2 females and 1 male if you can.

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Tom...

0.0.2 Bearded Dragon / 1.0.0 Gray Rat Snake / 1.0.1 Candy Cane Corns / 0.1.0 Hognose / 0.0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa / 0.0.1 African House Snake ... Many more to come.. Trust me :P

Thanks. Now I have the problem of finding a female. The present owner is being very honest as he wouldnt consider giving me one of the other females (they were originally rescues and arent perfect.) Im not desperate to breed - as a beginner I thought Id be better off with older torts as theyre hardier - plus its coming up to hibernation time.

I would like to say that a 1:1 ratio is totally inappropriate, I would advise a minimum of two females to one male.

You say that you are new to tortoises. Can I suggest you learn to appreciate them, learn the correct diets required, husbandry, supplements etc before purchasing just to breed? This is the second thread wherein talk of breeding is mentioned at the outset and not a lot of thought regarding the animals needs.

Please have a read through the threads and the advise given, time and time again from those of us with decades of experience between us.

I do not mean to sound so negative but this seems to be a current trend.

Tamie