Hi,

I have 2 horsfields which are male and female. They are 4 years old and have recently been mating a lot. I was just wondering what size they are when they normally breed?

Prob a silly question, sorry!

Thanks, Jemma

Hi Jemma,

I just have a lone female Horsfield, and she hasn't mated or laid eggs, but I just found this on the Russian Tortoise website (measurements are in inches rather than cm):

Question: How big/old do they need to be in order to mate?

They seem to start mating at a small size. Males start at 4". From my experience these small males are not mature enough to be fertile. I have heard that females 4.5" can lay viable eggs. This seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

It appears that size is more of an issue than age. Most people that are having success with breeding have females that are over 6" and males over 5".

Nina

Hi Jemma

It does go on size but at 4 years I should think she is too young to be forming eggs.  One of my horsfield rehomers was grown on very quickly before she came to me and she is approximately 5 years old and has laid eggs last year and this.  She is 13.5 cm in length if this helps.

What is her straight carapace length (SCL) please?  Do you have separate facilities available so that you can keep them apart if the male stresses her too much?

Helen

Hi Jemma, I don't keep Horfields myself but from what i have seen from fellow keeper they are rather agressive in their mating ritual. Thinking ahead (or in fact now) I would be looking to increase your females (bear in mind you will need to follow quarintine periods) but at the very least give this female some time out. One male and one female is hard going on the female, I always think 3 female to 1 male is a fine balance but the males can cope with more females. Eventually she will become very stressed with his constant attention, does she have enough room to get away from him?

And nothing is to silly to ask, so fire away.

TC

Elaine

Hey, Thanks for the replies. Just been out with the tape measure, and they are both 4" / 10cm.. so i'm thinking too small still! I am looking to rehome or buy some more horsfields, so i take it i should be looking female not male! Toshka (the girl) does seem to be getting rather pestered by Pumpkins constant want to mate, sometimes he's so eager he gets the wrong end! It seems to be a very small chance of being able to rehome a tortoise on here, as there are many requests as soon as one comes in.

Many thanks everyone

Jemma

Oh sorry, their enclosure is fairly big with many hidey holes, however if things get too violent i will soon be able to sort something out to split them up! Toshka still seems to follow Pumpkin about despite the fact she knows what is comming!

Jemma

Hi Jemma, They will have made a strong bond, hence the wanting to be with you despite being a pain sometimes . It is good that your setups will allow for some time out, especially with sunny days on the way ( he might be more active with the sun on his shell).

Have you filled out the rehoming application (on menu bar left hand side). It is NOT a case of first come first served, the rehoming team work very hard to meet the tortoises needs and match these with the correct keeper. They are getting so many referals now it would be worth registering.

Enjoy the bank holiday!

Elaine

Hi Jemma,

Have you filled in a rehoming application form yet (sorry, but I don't have your surname on this thread, and our application forms are filed alphabetically)?  If not, then just email me at nina@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk  and I will send you an application form and full instructions about how our rehoming system works.  Once you have returned the form, you are automatically put on our rehoming notification distribution list, whereby you will receive an email each time a tortoise comes up for rehoming, so although you still have to go to the forum to see the details of that particular tortoise, you don't miss out if you don't check the forums for a few days.

Cheers,

Nina

Hey, yes i have already filled an application form out :)

Just have to wait and hope i can give a good home to a horsfield soon :)

Jemma

Don't loose hope Jemma. Many old keepers want their tortoise to be rehomed near to them so as they can visit or they want it to be an only tortoise there are many, many reasons our rehoming team pick where the tortoise ends up but mainly what suits the tort best. Fingers crossed .

TC

Elaine

Thanks,

would be good to get some more females! Poor little Toshka :p

Jemma