How do tortoises mate?

Question

I have 1 desert tortoise that is about 40 years old. When people found out they brought me two more that they could no longer take care of. The 2 new ones are different breeds, over four years old, 1 is female the other a male and are constantly with each other. They live outside and are free roaming in our back yard. My husband asked me what does it look like and how I would know if they were breeding. I don't know. Do any of you know?

Please only serious answers if you know.

Answer 1

The same way we do. The male is always in back of the female.

Answer 2

slowly

Answer 3

this is a youtube of them doing it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRAbV2IXHRA&f...

Answer 4

the male will show signs of interest by butting the female, this can look quite violent but it is all part of the mating ritual, he may also bite the female and make some strange noises, if the female wants to be mated she will let him mount her from behind heres a vid of it so you can see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagAokRb3... males will mate females who are a different species but the eggs are not usually viable, tortoises tend to mate with their own species so you must have two the same, you just need to watch out for if you have two males as they will fight over the female, and male tortoises are very territorial but if they are mating it looks like you could have babies, best of luck with the tortoises honey,