Yes, this is not a healthy situation. One ensures tortoises keep a healthy physical and mental state through allowing them adequate space in which to roam and exercise, not cagemates who would never meet them in the natural world (last I checked, carpets don't come into contact with tortoises of any kind in Australia, lest you call all chelonians tortoises as they do there). Yes, the feces are far too high in protein. In addition, I recall reading that tortoises can harbor internal parasites that, while harmless to them, can adversely affect most snakes and lizards. If one were to keep a variety of species in shared quarters, it would be best to set up an enclosure with sympatric species that do not predate upon one another with plenty of space allowing for solitude. Reptiles are not social creatures and do best on their own. The only reason to introduce a tortoise to another is for mating purposes or coaxing fussy feeders through food envy.

T.G.

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