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Is this a bad idea? I've had a greek tortoise since december of '07 and like him a lot. I was considering getting a russian tortoise as well, but wasn't sure if the two could "co-exist" in the same enclosure. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Dear Taylor,

I wouldn't mix them...horsefieldi are "ornery", males especially, and they may/will mount, bite and harass your relatively peaceful graeca. Further, wild import Russians are notorious for carrying diseases/viruses. Herpes infections are common I am told, and if you ever see it, you won't forget it, it is really damaging. Both are great animals and I enjoy them, but keep them separate. As a broad generalization (some exceptions...), many keepers think it is easier and less risky to keep species separate...some can be mixed, but it is risky, and the two you mentioned I think a bad mix, Russians are just too full of "piss and vinegar"... Also, one tortoise may be resistant to a disease but be a carrier and the other type is vulnerable...why risk it? You will feel blue if it goes bad...good luck with your decision. vic h.

Well, I can't honestly say that doesn't sort of bum me out, but I'd rather be safe and have the tortoises be healthier/happier. Thanks a lot for your help!

Vic is correct on the orneryness of the russians, especially males. I tried to temporarily house a larger redfoot with my pair of russians in a large outdoor pen. The male russian continuously harassed the larger redfoot. They were split up immediately. I could see he would have inflicted major damage on the redfoot if given the opportunity. Luckily, both the species you are interested in are relatively small and will not require huge enclosures indoors or outdoors.

Best of luck.

Yea, my greek is fairly young and only about five to six inches at this point. I live in an apartment, so his enclosure isn't as large as I'd like it to be, but he has enough space to walk around and what not. Not sure if I will still get a russian now, but I am still considering it.

The cool thing about the smaller tort species like the greeks and russians is you can get away with smaller caging. Also consider simpler caging. The great thing about torts is they dont jump or climb as well as snakes or lizards. You can make a simple four sided frame about 1.5 feet high and attach to plywood bottom. A simple lip around the top using four to six inch wide wood strips should keep them from climing out. Four x two foot rubber maid tubs work well too.

Good luck with your decision.

I have a female russian tortoise and I introduced her with a small red eared slider. However, she almost stepped onto the red-eared slider's head and although it is not intentional, it is quite dangerous to house two seperate animals together. It would be fun, but there are many health risks. good luck with the russian!

One other thing to consider is Russian's are basically a four-legged locust. They will strip a lush pen bare in no time.
Greeks are as hard on their environment, so if you keep them together and have any natural graze your Greek will be lucky to get 20% of it!

I've had Russians for 8 years and various Greek's for almost 30 and no tort is harder on their environment than Russians.

My lush outdoor Russian pens last 3-4 weeks max (early -mid June where I live). The Greek and Redfoot pens last well into late September.

Ernie