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went to bronx zoo today and they had star tortoises with a few agamas... i was wondering if i could get a star tortoise to go with my ornate uro

some zoos get away with it, with tons of room. Australia zoo (home of steve erwin) comes to mind. I know they have an exhibit with goannas, water dragons, and a couple of bearded dragons, but they literally have tons of space to do it. the exhibit is probably bigger than a lot of peoples' yards I think.

Generally it's not good to mix species. Some species have parasites and diseases that they are immune to, that could kill another species. Not to mention they probably have different husbandry requirments, and your uros are probably happier without some big rock with legs taking their food.

thanks for the reply...
well yes, the zoo had a large enclosure for them. although there were 4 lizards and 6-7 tortoises?... this would only be one lizard and one tortoise. im currently building a 4'x3' terrarium for my single baby uromastyx

the parasites is the only legit problem in my eyes, but ill wait for other responses on that

also, this is not the only time ive seen a tortoise with a uro. ive heard stories of my friends uro riding around on his sulcata's back for hours. but having a sulcata who needs constant water access, he keeps them in separate tanks.. im currently doing research for an affordable tortoise with the same requirements as an ornate

any more opinions

Many opinions about mixing species. My own 2 cents worth:
If the animals come from the same area of the world, and would not invade each others space, i.e. putting arboreal in with terrestrial animals, and they are all healthy, and you have plenty of room and the correct habitat for them, then why not? If, however, you are thinking of keeping a tortoise inside in a terrarium, that would not be good. Tortoise's especially need to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine, and Uro's would benefit greatly from the same. If you have the space, the knowledge to develope a healthy habitat, and the money and time to do it, then go for it! But you don't want to mix carnivores with herbivores! Choose your species wisely!
Beth

and which one is a carnivore? the uro or the tortoise?...

even if i got a tortoise for its own cage, it wouldnt be outside.. except for during the summer (new york). so what would be the difference of keeping a tortoise inside or keeping a tortoise inside with a uro

It should be okay. They have star tortises with a Hardwicks at the Houston Zoo. As long is the cage is bigh enough and there is a good temp gradient there shouldnt be a problem. I have kept my Beardies and Uros together for the past year and have had no problems.

why would you keep beardies and uros together? They have different temperature needs. A uro needs a basking spot that is usually at least 20 degrees hotter than that of an adult bearded dragon. Plus, if they ever did wind up in a fight, it would not go over so well. Bearded dragons instinctively go for the tail. Uro's have a somewhat club like tail. Not usually a good combination for the bearded dragon. Even if they get along, there's much greater risk of some sort of error occuring in your plan.

Uros and tortoises I could see, if they have the same requirments and come from the same part of the world, but uros and bearded dragons just don't work out. If you visit the bearded dragon forum with the question of "can I keep my bearded dragon with my uro", you'll get the same answer. Like I said though, parasites are a big big big thing. Normal levels of some parasites in the bearded dragon's stool may be abnormal for a uro (or vice versa).

I just don't see why anyone would ever want to put a uro with a bearded dragon. Two very different animals from two very different places. I would be very interested to see a pic of this setup.

Without doubt it is possible under certain conditions.
This means tnaks exceeding 20 square feet and a very well chosen tortoise species.
Of course a lot effort has to be spend on light intensities and spektra and the overall furnishing of the tank.
But it IS possible...independent form all those DO NOT MIX shouters, which never have tried anything with careful considerations.
The reason why I still would not recommend it to private herpers is the fact that many tortoises permanently excrete Entamobea invadens and related strains wtiohout being ill.
These amoeba very reliably infect and kill any lizard!!!
So you have to be 100% sure that your tortoises do not carry any Entamobea strain. This is only possible after several fecal checks distributed over many months.

Ci@o

Ingo

I mostly agree with Ingo. I would be careful of which tortoise you put with a uro though. That story about the sulcata sounds a bit ridiculous as well; I would never let a uro "play" with a large tortoise like that...all it would take is for the tortoise to rest one top of the uro and you've got instant injury or death.

I do know a breeder who keeps russian tortoises, eastern box turtles and bearded dragons in the same enclosure though. It's set up something like how Ingo described. It's a custom built enclosure that takes up about half of a bedroom. There are cinder blocks placed throughout the enclosure so the beardies can climb and dull their nail and so the tortoises can hide inside the holes.

He says they seem to get along fine but once in a while he catches one tortoise who apparently loves to bite bearded dragon tails...of course this tortoise was named "grumpy".

Bottom line is that you can do it...but be careful...do some research and monitor the behaviors and health of any species that are together.

That's of just my opinion, I could be horribly wrong.
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Edited on April 22, 2004 at 20:56:19 by phwyvern.

That is way to small for a uro and a tortoise. Most tortoises need a minimum of a 4' by 3', and if mixing species you should at LEAST double the minimum size so they never have to see each other. Also i would think the tortoise would fall in the uro burrow.
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