Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it possible to house a russian tortoise with a small snake such as a sand boa?

Possible? Yes. A good idea? No.
As a reptile keeper your goal should be to provide the best possible care for your reptiles, and housing a snake with a tortoise isn't doing them any favors. I have actually witnessed situations where people have housed snakes with tortoises, and though they are alive, I would say that the tortoises probably put an undue amount of stress on the snake. Not to mention the possibility of transporting disease, the possibility that one animal will physically harm the other, and the fact that care requirements are different.

Do you mind if I ask why you are considering housing a russian tortoise with a sand boa?

Is it possible? Maybe...but controversial. In large Zoo facilities etc., it is sometimes done, especially if animals occupy different niches i.e. arboreal lizard and burrowing forms, aquatic types and land dwelling, not competing in the exact same environment, etc. For most of us,it is not practical and you will have problems. I keep both you mentioned, not together. They are burrowers, and the tortoise will irritate the snake, sharp claws, stepping on it, nipping at it, Russians can be cantankerous... Food habits are different, and you don't want the tortoise to eat a dead rodent, and maybe the sand boa will quit feeding...? Give them both consistent and focused attention and care instead, or create an elaborate and large set up, and you will rarely see your boa, and write us and tell us how it worked out, if it does. If you do it, you will be phoughing new ground where others have failed...it sounds like a lot of work and elaborate effort to do it. Good luck, Vic H.

I am not suggesting putting your snake and tortoise together.

Here is someone's experience

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1634207,1634207

I work at a zoo where this is done from time to time and has proven fatal in some cases as tortoises and turltes are nototious for carrying parasites such as amoebas (like entamoeba).
Snakes and lizards can pick these up and even though the tortoises appears perfectly healthy, snakes are sensitive to things like this. It is deadly. Please don't risk it.