Friends and Age for breeding

[Shazza4505]

A couple of questions. I am very new to owning a tortoise but loving the experience.

Would my tortoise be happier with a friend?

What age do they reach sexual maturity?

I ask as we think my tort is a female but are not yet 100% sure, and if we got a friend if it turned out to be male and female could they live happily?
Breeding may be a consideration when i am more knowledgeable, but right now i am wondering if a friend would be a good idea.

[1nt2teach]

NOTE OF CAUTION: Russian Tortoises are like potato chips, you can have one, if you're very strict with yourself, but you'll find that eventually you search for ways to aquire more and more of them!!! lol (i'm working on aquiring a 5th)

If you're looking for a "friend" for your tort go female all the way!!!  Two females will be MUCH happier than a pair, especially since one pair won't typically mate due to increased stress on the female...These guys (and gals) do better in herds of 2 females to 1 male ratios....


EDIT: torts can be sexually mature in and around 10 yrs of age...which, if wild caught can be difficult to determine

[Shazza4505]

Thanks for the help.

Ha ha ha i have noticed that torts are quite addictive, even my husband wants another which is a shocker as he always complains i have too many pets.

I will wait until Echo is slightly oldr and check she is indeed a she, and by that point i should have saved enough for another wee girl.

Thanks!