mixing turtle breeds

Question
QUESTION: I found a baby soft shelled turtle and a baby yellow bellied slider in my yard in less than a weeks time.  They are each approximately the size of a half dollar (about one inch). My son wants to keep both.  After doing some research on-line, I found that soft shells are aggressive and I don't think it would be a good idea to keep them in the same tank together however, I thought it couldn't hurt to check with an expert first especially since they are so young they may grow fond of each other.


ANSWER: Hello Nicole, you assumed correctly. These two turtles or any two different turtles for that matter can be housed together. It is extremely dangerous, as they are territorial and can be agressive.

Along with the fact that they are wild animals and should not be taken from their natural habitat. You shouldn't keep either. If your son wants a pet turtle then I suggest you go do the research and find a pet store or breeder and get a healthy captive bred one.

Wild caught turtles often have a higher risk of disease and can be easily stressed having to acclimate to a captive enclosure.

Turtles are a large commitment, needing proper lighting ($20) heating ($30+) enclosure ($100+) Basking area ($10+) food, filters, thermometers, and plenty of other things need to be taken into mind.

I am not telling you that you couldn't care for one properly just making sure you know the facts before hand.

But if he MUST keep them there is no reason you shouldn't know the facts.
They can not be housed together, or is it advised that they be housed with their own species. They do not enjoy company and live alone in the wild. Both species can be very territorial and can fight to the death over territory.

Good luck
Yexalen

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

QUESTION: Yexalen, Thank you for your quick response.  Prior to your reply, I spoke with an exotic pet store attendant who advised that the two turtles would be okay together in the same tank being that they are so young so I introduced the turtles together slowly to see their reaction to one another.  They appear to be very tolerant to each other.  Initially, they were a little curious checking each other out nervously, but mostly they seem to go about their own business without bothering each other in any aggressive manner.  I already had the supplies you indicated that would be necessary to care for turtles properly as my nephews have a yellow bellied slider they keep for a pet for nearly two years now and they had the extra supplies needed. I understand your concern, I do not want anything bad to happen to these two turtles, I want what's best for them.  I fear if I put them back by the lake something will eat them because they are so small, but I don't want them to kill each other either.  The exotic pet store also said that I should not put them back in the lake and that they would take the turtles if we don't keep them.  I also read on-line that both of these breeds make great pets and the pet store agreed. Now that I have conflicting information, I'm very worried and I want to do the right thing. I greatly appreciate the information you provided. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Nicole,
The fact is, pet store employees (the majority of them) do not know right from wrong when it comes to reptiles.

It is more likely that being introduced at a young age that they will get along for a while but when they grow up territory becomes more of an issue.

The reason the pet store probably told you to give the turtles to them instead of releasing them is so they can turn around and make a profit off of them. Sorry to say but many people have had many bad problems with pet stores giving bad avice and not caring about the animal. I am not accusing this pet store for being that way, you might have found one that is into the safety and well being of the turtle. But most are not that way, sadly.

The turtles do make good pets and they require the same care but even when they get along fine initially when they become sexually mature they get territorial and can be very aggressive toward one another.

Good luck
Yexalen