Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello All,

I am thinking of trying to breed a species of turtle. I
currently breed bearded dragons and California kingsnakes.
I have some Russian tortoises hibernating now. I chose
Russian torts because they can hibernate in covered
outdoor exclosures. Can anyone suggest any other species
(aquatic or terrestrial)that can hibernate through a REAL
winter or atleast in the 50's.

I've included an old photo of my Russian pen. It has been
modified since.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you,

Brian

Box turtles - most rescues have them and some don't mind breeding of box turtles. They're relatively easy to breed, especially if they have an outdoor, year-round enclosure. Ornates and easterns hibernate, altough it's best to know what region they came from before hibernating (an eastern from MD vs. an eastern from Georgia, for example). I wouldn't mix the two species, but either would hibernate.

Mud turtles - small and hardy, and not many people are breeding them, so I'd like to see more CB offered. Eastern muds definately hibernate, I'm sure other species do also.

Katrina

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I never
thought of Kinosternids. Easterns mud would be
kind of neat to work with.

Brian

You have a ton of options. For terrestrial turtles I would say Box turtles would be your best bet. Eastern Boxies naturally hibernate and would do great. As far as aquatics, you could go with some species of Painted turtle (Midlands and Easterns), Muds, Musks, Common Snappers, and some Sliders.
Good Luck,
Chris
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Hey whats up, I'm Chris and I currently have 0.1 Midland Painted, 1.0 Western Painted, 0.0.1 RES, 1.0 Bearded Dragon

Are you looking to sell the offspring? Spotted turtles and Wood turtles are very hardy (woods might not even hibernate at 50 degrees) and there is a good market for the offspring. They are readily available as CB's. Northern Diamondback terrapin can also tolerate moderately cold temperatures and are attractive animals. With increasing protective laws, there should be a good market for CB Eastern Box Turtles, also.

You might want to consider the European Testudo species. I know of a hermani that survived 20 years of hibernation way up in Cleveland, Ohio. They would sell for a better price than the Russians, if that is your goal.

All of those are native and protected here in Massachusetts, but thanks.

Brian

Didn't know you were that far north. This might exclude the suggested tortoises, but there are micohabitats of milder climate on the coast. You probably have some provisions for captive ownership. Check with the equivalent of your Dept. of Natural Resources about obtaining and owning native species - probably much paperwork and severe limitations on numbers but......by advertising yourself, you invite further scrutiny by the Herp Nazis that often populate the state agencies. Blandings Turtle is probably non-native and the more colorful vatiants of the European Pond Turtle are fairly hardy. Western Painted Turtles are very cold tolerant, but the DNR might not discriminate between subspecies - check.