Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it possible to mix different species of Box Turtles together in an outside enclosure? I dont do it but if its O.K. I want to eventually. I'm talking about Ornates with Easterns and Three Toeds. A Breeding pair of each in a large 20 foot long enclosure.

And also will they mate with eachother? Like Easterns with Three Toeds and Ornates with Easterns?

If this is possible I would like to start it soon!

-Thanks in advance

-Tony C

It's possible, but, personally, I wouldn't do it.

I have heard that the different subspecies of easterns interbreed on the borders of their native areas but I have never heard of ornates crossing with eastern, does any body know specifically why? are they not genetically compatible?

Easterns, three-toes, Floridas and Gulf Coasts are all the same species (but different subspecies) of turtle. Ornates are not the same species as the above-mentioned turtles. Although hybridization (interbreeding two different species) may be possible, it is less likely to occur than intergrading (the cross breeding two subspecies) - because differing subspecies are more closely related than differing species.

Tim

Third Eye

Very good, thanks. Is that picture a cross that you currently have in your posession? And if so what are the two parent lineages? Just curious, looks like 3toe x eastern?
Jeff

It's a Gulf Coast.

Tim

Oh, OK. I guess it is really dark skinned, just as I have read about, and black toe-nails too, neat! It's hard to tell from the pic. does he have 3 or 4 toes in back? Doesn't look as much like my 3toes, or easterns that I have personally seen, as much as I thought, after closer inspection. Thanks for sharing!

A safer and easier solution would be to build one large pen with buried divisions that can't be dug under, making three separate areas, one for each breeding group. Also consider that you'll need space and pens in the future if you plan to breed and raise the hatchlings.

Different species interbreed in the wild due to their range of land but it's not recommended at all to try it yourself in captivity.

I think that is a matter of opinion, I'm sure different people have differing opinions on that subject, look at what snake breeders have done crossing species many times, and produced some interesting results, which has in some ways been very good for the pet hobbie. My personal opinion, I would agree that ornates should be kept seperate for a number of reasons, but that's just my opinion.

Thanks To everyone who commented, I think that when I do it I'll try Easterns,Three Toeds and Florida or Gulf Coasts, Ornates are from a different climate and will have different requirments.

Thanks Again- Tony C