Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently stopped in at a local zoo (cape may county nj) and saw a really cool display featuring red and yellow foots in a large enclosure with several large boas and burms. Everyone seemed happy and not the least bit stressed so i figured i would put my little red foot in with my pair of carpet pythons. At first the snakes were terrified of the tort, and rightfully so cause everything is worth a bite to the tort. but they all settled in nicelly and thats when i noticed the tort eating snake poop. now, ive read that poo makes up a significant part of a wild torts diet and snake poo is rich in calcium and d and e. Long story short, the tort is doing great and growing quickly, i think because of the pooplementation. I suggest anyone try feeding their's some snake poo too. Its so funny how the tort is starting to think hes a snake though. he trys to climb the branches like the snakes and he has to be separated when i feed the snakes cause he will run up to snake when its constricting and try to bite the mouse! Ive always been a snake man but this little chelonian is a trip.
Jason

That's a cute story but is definitely not a good idea to keep snakes with tortoises or turtles of any kind. Turtles and torts carry diseases that do not affect them, that many lizards and snakes can be sensitive to. I know zoos do it, and i work at one and we have had some do ok, but we've also lost some valuable animals over that situation. I would also be concerned about what is in your snakes poo that your turtle is ingesting. Red and Yellow foots are mostly vegetarians and snakes aren't. Just be careful I guess, you never know..

some people keep their animals in laboratory like seetings devoid of any and all natural stimulation. sure, the risk of illness and injury is reduced, but the fact remains that it is simply unnatural. The life of a captive animal is no doubt painfully boring, which is why many experts, zoos in particular, have begun housing animals communally and even placeing predators and prey near enough to see and smell each other. All this is done to increase the quality of life, and provide meanigful stimulation for the animal. People who segregate themselves from the world, and live in immaculate laboratory settings for risk of illness are considerd mentally ill. Why would you force that on your pet?

Troll
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www.reptilecare.com

IMHO I think it's a horrible idea to keep these animals together. Aside from the obvious injury possibilities and germ transmission there is the fact that snakes are carnivorous and I would assume they poop out vast quanities of animal protein; far more than any tort requires. I imagine you will have some sick or dead animals shortly.

Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Yes, this is not a healthy situation. One ensures tortoises keep a healthy physical and mental state through allowing them adequate space in which to roam and exercise, not cagemates who would never meet them in the natural world (last I checked, carpets don't come into contact with tortoises of any kind in Australia, lest you call all chelonians tortoises as they do there). Yes, the feces are far too high in protein. In addition, I recall reading that tortoises can harbor internal parasites that, while harmless to them, can adversely affect most snakes and lizards. If one were to keep a variety of species in shared quarters, it would be best to set up an enclosure with sympatric species that do not predate upon one another with plenty of space allowing for solitude. Reptiles are not social creatures and do best on their own. The only reason to introduce a tortoise to another is for mating purposes or coaxing fussy feeders through food envy.

T.G.

Although I wouldn't know one snake from the other.. I do have a little experience from raising and breeding redfoot tortoises.

It's true:

1) mixing "natural" bugs can be fatal

2) 'carbonaria' are omnivorous/almost carnivorous { animal protein is a vital/staple part of their diet }.. they would eat a mouse in a heartbeat.

3) mine are very gregarious.. redfoots 'huddle-up' in their hide which is large enough that they don't have to.

Keep in mind.. there are always exceptions and extremes!
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Terry E. Kilgore
Turtletary.com