Snapping turtle and painted turtle

Question
QUESTION: I'm only 15 years old, but I've been studying/researching aquatic turtles for 5 years.  5 years ago I caught a painted turtle and he has been living in a 20 gallon tank, just 2 weeks ago I caught a hatchling snapping turtle and I have been trying to introduce them together, they are in separate tanks right now but I've been putting them in together during the day, I know that they occupy different niches in the wild, because snapping turtles are nocturnal and painted turtles are not plus they eat different food. This Christmas I am planning on purchasing a 120 gal. Tank and I want the two of them to live to live together.  I know you are not supposed to release turtles if they have been in captivity for more then 4 weeks, and I highly prefer not releasing the snapping turtle unless I 100% have to, so my question is can the 2 of them live in the same tank if it's 120 gal if they can, can they live in the 20 gal tank until I buy the other?
         Thanks, MC

ANSWER: Hi MC,

You do need to get that painted turtle out of the 20 gallon tank--it's much too small for anything other than a hatchling.  I would not, however, try to house a painted and a snapping turtle together.  For one thing, the snapping turtle will have to be housed in an outdoor pond at some point.  It's just not feasible to keep them indoors once they reach a certain size.  Second, snapping turtles are known to eat other turtles, and it would be possible for the snapping turtle to inflict serious injuries to your painted turtle even at a relatively small size.  So don't try putting them together, and definitely not in the 20 gallon tank.  If you have a large pond outdoors (I mean more like a natural pond), it would be safer, but it should be in a natural enough setting that the painted has good cover and hiding areas (their times of activity are different, but can overlap).

I would release the hatchling.  The primary reason is because of your age.  If you plan to go to college in a few years, you need to plan ahead for your turtles.  How will you bring a growing snapping turtle into a college environment?  What about afterward, when you may be moving frequently and living in rented apartments/houses?  The bigger the snapping turtle gets, the larger its accommodations will need to be, and it won't be easy to move.  Will your parents be willing to care for it if you're not able to bring it with you?  There aren't many good homes out there for snapping turtles, so you don't want to be in the position of having to rehome your turtle or turn it in to rescue.  I know this isn't something you want to hear, but you also need to think about the welfare of the turtle and whether you reasonably will be able to keep it throughout its life.  The laws of NY are becoming increasingly strict in regards to native reptiles, so that's something to keep in mind as well--it would be a good idea to do some research into this, because you may even be required to have a permit for your painted turtle now.

Kudos to you for your interest in turtles!  I hope you continue with your research.  Turtles could use more defenders than they have right now.  If you live near the Long Island area, you can contact Turtle Rescue of Long Island (www.turtlerescues.com) and see if they have any volunteer opportunities for you.  They get in many different species of both turtles and tortoises.     

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks you for the help, and I will be releasing the snapping turtle very soon, since the two of them are not going to be living together do you think a 60 gal tank will be large enough for the painted turtle?

Answer
Thank you for considering the needs of your snapping turtle.  I know it's hard to wait, but when you're an adult and settled in your own home you'll be able to set up a pond just the way you want it and then you can consider keeping a snapping turtle.  Better for the turtle, and easier for you.

Anyway, yes, a 60 gallon tank is a good size for your painted turtle.  That's enough room so you can really set up the environment nicely and enjoy seeing some natural behavior in your turtle.  Have fun with it!