Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am considering purchasing a 1.1 of this species and had a few questions.
1.Can they be housed in pairs? From what I've read they are very aggressive towards each other regardless of sex. Housing will consist of 50 gallon Rubbermaid troughs so they should have ample room to get away from one another if necessary.
2.If not how is breeding accomplished? Are there certain times of the year that they tolerate one another or are injuries considered common during breeding attempts.

If you maintain or breed this species and don't mind a few questions please email me at instalt@aol.com
Thanks in advance!
Jackie

In ages past, Platysternon was housed and bred at the Columbus Zoo. Give them a call, specifying the Reptile House (greatest turtle facility in U.S., but don't be shy - they are always happy to talk to you). As for my personal experience: I never house Platysternon together because of that looooooong tail. Any bite injuries are potentially lethal becuase of the minimal blood supply to that area ( I have lost animals). For breeding, you would have to take that risk.

They ARE always happy to talk, which really suprises me, because I can only imagine some of the calls they get.
I didn't know you could keep 'em in a 50, now I'm tempted .
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

Thanks for the replies!
The 50 gallon Rubbermaid trough makes better use of its capacity than a 50 gallon aquarium does. I may go with the Waterland tubs since a friend has some that aren't in use.
Jackie

Columbus zoo used to keep them individually in a 50 gal Rubbermaid (but maybe bigger - it was back in the 80's and memory is foggy)

If you have an urgent question and know a respected source, never be reluctant to look them up and phone (or e-mail) them directly. 90% of herpers, even the "all-time -greats" are really good people and will indulge even the naiive questions of a rank amateur, as our poster above indicates. For example, I received only the most gracious treatment (phone) from Peter Pritchard regarding a difficult species question and later met him personaly at a herp convention and found him to be one of the most delightful persons I had ever met.