Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There seems to be a train of thought that you should never mix species. As a general rule this is probably true.
It is also probably true that if you observe certain precautions and understand certain risks there is nothing wrong with mixing certain species.
Ed
(ball's in your court Head.)

I'm sure it would work fine as long as they have the same habitats, I lost a turtle once because i tried to mix a fresh import with a ltc and lost my ltc, ever since then i don't mix anymore, but like you said if you know that they are both healthy etc it should work fine

Andy

RedoFootMan@yahoo.com

There are so many variables to consider that whenever I'm asked for advice regarding this topic I will say not to do it. First, if either (or both)is wild caught, the risk of cross-exposure is great enough that it is not worth trying. Even after veterinary evaluation/treatment, the pathogens that one animal may harbor without ever showing symptoms cannot be known nor can what effect those pathogens may have on the cagemate.
Secondly, the issue of habitat is also an important one. Combining animals from an arid environments with forest tortoises requiring more humidity is doomed to fail for one or the other. Thirdly, I rarely find animals with similar enough personalities that I would feel confident that combining them wouldn't be too strssful. I think that in the end, except in very rare circumstances, mixing species is a bad idea. If you cannot provide separate habitats for the two, focus on one or the other. Just my two cents. (the long version)

I think it's ok to mix some species like Redfoots and Yellowfoots together. Your different Star types also. This applies only for hatchlings and juvies. We don't want this forum to become like the Cornsnakes. A new morph every day. Brooks

Like others have already mentioned, there are a few considerations when it comes to mixing species of tortoises. The main one, of course, is diseases which can be transmitted from one species who may have immunity to another species which does not have immunity. IF, and that is a big if, you can be absolutely certain all of the tortoises bein mixed are disease-free, then that problems becomes non-existent. A tortoise cannot transmit a disease it does not have.

Environment is a factor as well, but it is not much of a factor if you be sure to keep arid with arid, tropical with tropical, etc.

Another very real potential problem is that one species may be much more aggressive that another. A male tortoise that bites during courtship, like the desert tortoise does, can be very rough when he courts the female, and if he does this to a female of another species that does not have the tough skin on her front legs for protection, she may be badly injured. Some males also ram the female and others do not. If a rammer tries to court a female of another species who is not made for it, she can get injured that way as well.

Ah Ed stirring the pot I see! LOL!! Good for you keep everyone thinking and exchanging ideas.

So I will put my two cents in. I think it is okay if all are deemed disease free and have the same basic requirements. Also best to house species that live in the basic region for safety sake too.

Steve

This brings up the point of 'it depends...'. Many of the 'argumentitive' topics like 'pyramiding', Diet, hibernation and so on, fall into this catagory. If they are not discussed how are we going to better understand. Ahhhh... I just realized the answer... just don't do it. See, it's simple. (not)
I guess you can call this stirring the pot but if you don't stir it occasionally it'll never finish cooking.
Ed