Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I was picking up my Iguana from the vet yesterday and there
is a "looking for home" board in the waiting area. There
is a person who is giving away a Russian and Bells Hingeback
tort to good home due to illness of owner.

My question is she states that they live together in a
tank and are both vegetarian. Are they compatible as
far as husbandry, diet, etc.

I have 4 aquatic turtles and a yearling Redfoot besides
my Iguana but I don't have any experience with these
two types of turts.

Thanks
Linda

First, don't ever mix species! It can end up fatal to both torts and cost you a bundle in vet bills. Particularly these two. That being said, Russian's and Hingeback's (unless it's a Bell's Hingeback) come from two completely different environments. Russian's come from a very arid, rocky, low humidity grassland areas. Hingeback's come from tropical (high humidity) rainforests (Nigeria, Congo, etc). Russian's are a very hardy species when the husbandry is correct. Hingeback's are fragile even when you have the perfect set up for them, which is darn near impossible.

So don't mix them and if you want to take one to rescue take the Russian. The Hingeback will be nothing but a headache and heartache. They are solely for experienced tort keepers.

Here's a site with all the info you need to get started with Russian's.
www.russiantortoise.net

Good Luck.

What type of habitat to the Bells require. I gathered from
your post these are easier to keep.

Thanks

You are lucky it's a Bell's.

Here's a good care sheet from someone who knows them well, Misty Corton.

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Kinixysscare.htm

You can also contact Merilyn at Abbotts Turtle Farm at the link below. They had, and I believe they may breed, Bell's so they may be able to give you more "real-time" husbandry requirements.

http://www.abbottsturtlefarm.com/

Good luck!

Everybody is right, Russians and Bell's are very different critters. If you decide not to take the Bell's, I would be interested if its a female. I have a very healthy male I've had for 13 years and would like to find a mate for him.

Remember, the hingeback and russian have already been living together. You might want to be very careful about putting it in with your established Hinge.

Excellent point.