Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi i have a 4 inch common snapper who is very docile, and a 5 inch red ear slider. Currently i have the RES in a 40 gal br. with a 3 inche Eastern painted turle but there size was comparable when i first put them together. To the point i have a 75 gal tank and i was wonfdering if i built a shallow end for the snapper and a deep for the RES if it would be safe to have them together??? B4 i got the RES the snapper and painted turle were together with no problems. Help me out thanx!
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0.1.0. Green Iguana (Ziggy)
0.1.0. Bearded Dragon (Dina)aka Ms.Piggy
1.0.0. Mali Uromastyx (unnamed)(rescue)
1.0.0. Crested Gecko (Ilik)
1.0.0. Leopard Gecko (Kirby)
1.0.0. Veiled Chameleon (Diablo)
0.0.1. Eastern Painted Turtle (Piccasso)
0.0.1. Common Snapping Turtle (Spike)
0.0.1. Red Eared Slider (Yoda)(rescue)
0.1.0. Amel Corn Snake (Lattice)
0.0.1. Pixie Frog (Tank)
1.0.0. Chinese Dwarf Hamster (unnamed)
0.0.11. Hermit Crabs (unnamed)
0.0.2. Goldfish
0.0.2. African Dwarf Frogs (unnamed)
0.0.7. Assorted Tropical Fish
0.2.0. Dogs(Brandie & Molly)
1.1.1. Birds

I think you will see continued different rates of growth, and the sizes may get further apart. These guys can do well together, even when all full grown, but competition for food, space, hiding places, swimming areas... ect should be minimal.
I've actually seen a painted turtle basking on top of a full grown female common snapper floating in a pond. Remember that in an enclosed situation, such relationships may grow stressfull.
Ian

This is a pretty common question on the snapper forum. I always have the same response. Yes I'm sure there are cases of some snappers tolerating being housed with other turtles, but it is not worth the risk. Snappers are isolated turtles and should be kept alone.

No matter how docile the snapper may seem, just one bite could really hurt the other turtles.

- Mike
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Mike
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2 Painted
1 Musk
1 Common Snapper
1 Cooter
1 Map
1 RES
1 Corn Snake
1.1 Water Dragons
2 African Frogs
1 Toad
1.0 Degu
1.2 Chihuahuas
0.1 Cat

Even with alot of room and companionship, ultimately the two turtles are likely to at least grab onto the same chunk of food (if you feed them in the same enclosure of course). Also, Painted Turtles are diurnal and Snappers are primarily nocturnal ~ even a well fed Snapper will wander around at night and eat what it can get ahold of. You might be surprised at how much food a Snapper can wolf down in the course of one day lol
I would definately plan on not keeping them together ~ you may never ever have a problem if you do keep them together, buts odds are against you.
Thanx, Leo
Skin & Scales

after re-reading my response I realized the overall message I was trying to convey wasn't clear.

I agree that you should keep your turtles seperately.

In the wild they may get along great, and if a wild painted turtle loses a leg, no body will notice; but in captivity the risks are increased and you're also

Iandealing with your personal pets.

i have a 4" common snapper, 5" red ear,4" red ear, 4" eastern painted, and 4" yellow belly all in a 40 gal breeder. i have not had any problems with them, besides filtration. i think you can try something like this but be willing to seperate if necessary. good luck.

Brian