Male and Female Russian Tortoise behavior

[Kathleen]

I have had two Russian Tortoises for about nine months now. They recently came out of hibernation, which was for for five months. The male came out about two weeks before the female. When I reintroduced them to each other the male-(Boris) was initially very affectionate toward the female-(Natasha). He would rest his chin on her shell, and then would climb up on her back and stay there for a long time.

Then all of a sudden he started biting her. She'd pull into her shell to avoid him, and walk away. But he kept doing it to her, so I separated them.

Why does he want to bite her? Is it dangerous? They initially got along so well when I first got them.

Thank you,
Kathleen

[moeNlily]

it could be mating behavior

[Joe H]

Its themales way of telling her he wants to mate.

[Andy1632]

I have a Boris and Natasha too! That's funny

[Chrissy]

I have a Boris and Natasha too! That's funny

By any chance do you guys love the film 'True Lies' with Arnie Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis?   It's my favourite film ever!

[mightybd]

I have a 1:1 pair together, with a third lady in quarantine.
When I first put the pair together, the female harrased the male for 3-4 days by ramming her shell into his and chasing him around sometimes.
A month later, tables have turned, I am happy to say my male has started to nibble on my girls feet and shell a little, not bites just nibbles. He sniffs her face and climbs half onto her back, to have her knock him off... I am hoping for copulation, however am doubtfull Iwill get eggs this year, hopefully next when I have a 1:2 ratio.