Saturday, March 24, 2018

Grassland tortoises

From left to right: Sully (Sulcata), Speckles, Pudding (Leopard tortoises), and Astro (Indian Star). 


Grassland tortoises gathering

The grassland tortoises are by far the most social tortoises we have cared for. No deliberate bitings were observed between these tortoises, aside from occasional trampling over one another when it's the feeding time. Seems like size alone doesn't decide the hierarchical order among these tortoises eitherwe have seen tortoise competing food with much bigger tortoises (more than two times as big) and the former fended off the latter. They love to eat the same piece of greens together, and often almost biting each other's face! 

Their social nature also makes it easier to put them together. As can be seen above, we have two leopard tortoises (P. babcocki), one indian star (G. elegans), and a little giantSully (G. sulcata), together in the same enclosure. Some have debated against putting different species together to avoid cross-contamination, and we definitely agree to a certain degree. But to each their own, we have been enjoying these babies getting along together. 

These babies are making us working for a bigger home for them. Love seeing them growing everyday! :)

No comments:

Post a Comment