I have been pondering building an enclosed outdoor habitat, hopefully for several different types of species. There are several questions that need answered before taking the plunge, however.

The plan is to build a block enclosure, around 24ftx18ft (nothing final yet), with both a pond and a land area. I would like to put some spotted turtles in the pond and then have some type of land turtles or tortoises in the land area.

Also, I would like to put some sort of snake(s) in with them. At one of the local zoos, I see they mix diamondback rattlers in with gophers. Although I don't plan on getting gophers, for obvious reasons, for the land part, maybe some box turtles or other type of tortoises.

My questions are: Will the box turtles or tortoises be clumbsy/stupid enough to drown themselves in a large pond, and #2: will the spotted turtles and other turtles/tortoises get along with each other, #3: will there be any other problems adding 1-2 snakes to the habitat, and if not, what types would you recommend that would also get along with the other animals of the habitat? I'm pretty open minded about this, but don't want a water or garter snake if they're going to eat my turtles :/

I know all of the other arguments about housing different species together, and if I have to, I will mix species all from the same area.

If any one has any thoughts, ideas, recommendations, I'm open to hear them. I live in north-central florida, and the project will have about a $1000 building budget. No decision has been made yet.

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