Tortoises pay the price of love

Two female tortoises needed life-saving operations after their shells cracked up through years of a violent mating ritual.

Old-timer Phoebe, 100, and Grandma, 50, had to have parts of their shells replaced with fibreglass.

A vet treating them described their condition as, "the most severe I have ever seen".

During the "bashing" ritual, randy male tortoises smash their shells against the females forcing them into submission.



Maggie Bryant, of the Hampshire Tortoise Society, said: "As soon as spring is in the air they will not leave the females alone – they are literally rushing over to them.

"It is very stressful for both male and female – the male is so obsessed that he does not even eat – he can only think about doing it and he is so wound up."

She added: "It's not nice for the neighbours. They make a lot of noise."

The society is now trying to raise £1,000 to have Phoebe and Grandma's shells fully restored.