Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that mixing species is generally considered a non-no, for a lot of reasons. Does this also apply to subspecies (the various Greeks, for instance, or Western/Eastern Hermann's)? What about, for example, Testudo species that are found in the same types of habitat, eat the same basic foods, etc? What I'm really curious about is if different species are found in the same general area, would they be expected to carry the same types of parasites, gut flora, etc., or does it really vary by species/subspecies type?

Hope this makes sense, and thanks for your answers.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

It's best if you don't even keep animals of the same species together if you can help it, but we want to breed and we don't all have the space. Mixing 2 subspecies together or 2 species that are found side by side in the wild probably won't be the end of the world. If both are very healthy, have been in quarateen (sorry,my spelling sucks) and have been checked free of parasites, I am sure it would not be the end of the world. I have seen leopards and sulcata's live together for years and aldabras and Galaps are often kept together even in zoo's(not that just because it's a zoo, they know what their doing).
It irks me to see people and even officers of turtle and tortoise clubs keep different species together. I went to visit one lady in charge of adoptions for a big California club. She had wild caught box turtles in a pen with wild caght california desert torts that were being offered for adoption. when I asked her if she ever has a problem with that she said "no, they get along just fine"! I wanted to step on her neck.

In the words of Jeff Spicoli... YOU...
I don't know one tortoise/turtle keeper that has not mixed species at one time or another. There is nothing 'wrong' with this. Yes, there are risks sometimes but is it 'wrong'? I don't think so.
I've got animals that I that I keep as same species and I also have a 'free range' yard that has Sulcatas and hermans. Is that 'wrong'? You might not agree with the practice but is it 'wrong'??????
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed,

You now know someone who has never mixed species...not once in 33 years.

Is it wrong? That's a personal decision. Would it be considered a tortoise keeping "best practice", absolutely not.

Well, I'd like to know who decides what is 'bad' practice. You might not aggree with the practice but does that make it 'bad'?
Mixing species can be risky and challenging but is it wrong or bad practice. It's no worse than adding a new individual of the same species.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Which is, would tortoises of different species that are found in the same general areas in the wild be expected to carry similar types of parasites, bacteria, or whatever? Just wondering if things like that are habitat/geographically influenced or species dependent, if that makes sense.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

The purist says there are no exceptions but most of them are nut cases anyway...
Now... Bells Hingebacks occur in the same habitat as the leopard tortoise. Can they be kept together? While this is a tortoise forum I don't think the following example will be minded... the Pianted turtle and the Slider...and god knows how many different river turtle species occur together.
If you tink this is a unique argument, think again. Zoos have been arguing this for years when planing enviornmental displays.
I don't think it is a problem if you observe 'normal' protocols.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed--at least we like the same movies! HaHa It's better to keep species seperate if you can, but it is not always possible with most people.
sohni-- If to species of torts live side by side in the wild and share the same diet, etc. you can expect that they would have similer immune systems and paracites.

Jeff Spiccoli...is that "Fast Times at Ridgemont High?" Sorry, the reference went right past me. I'm a more a classic movie fan myself.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I keep 2 Hermanns, a Russian, & an Egyptian together in an outdoor pen during the summer. All are CB by reputable breeders & everybody seems happy & well adjusted. I've seen how they acted when alone & how they act together & the difference is amazing. I'm sure there will come a time when one or more will have to be separated but that shouldn't happen for several more years. Until then…