russian tortoise trouble. please help.

Question
i have two russian tortoises one male and one female. their both healthy and have plenty of space to run around in. all was well until my male started trying to mate my female. she seemed un-interested in him and tryed to excape him at all costs. i've read that this is normal. the problem is that the male has become so agressive with his courtship that he has bitten off one of her front toenails. i've seperated them but should i keep the seperate? im realy frantic! will her nail ever grow back?

Answer
You kind of have to make a choice- let them mate and risk injury, or seperate them and manage two tanks.

The injuries are just part of the risk- but the risks are rather small- minor, easily healed injuries most of the time. Nails are common injuries- most wild turtles are missing a toe or two.

The nail will grow back if it is just snapped off and the 'growth plate' on the toe is OK.