Hi all i have some questions

[Dwarf Caiman]

I want 2 tortoises or 2 turtles haven't decided yet

I'm a beginner animal keeper and I live in New York

I was thinking about maybe a red foot tortoise and a leopard tortoise but was wondering if I can mix these species or should I go with 2 of the same species?

Or a diamondback terrapin and a red eared slider ?

I already got a 60 gallon tank and some led lights just can decided if tortoises or turtles

 

[TechnoCheese]

You should not be mixing species, and tortoises are solitary animals that should never be kept in pairs. Also keep in mind that there are extremely few tortoises that can live in anything less than 8x4 feet.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

Well, you've come to the right place to get your info BEFORE getting the animal! Here's some helpful hints for you:

1. Tortoises shouldn't be kept as pairs. You end up with a bully and a less dominant, and he will stay hidden, stop eating and just not do well
2. Species shouldn't be mixed. It's not as critical with water turtles, but tortoises from different continents might make each other sick or even dead
3. Unless you get a baby, tortoises do much better outside. An Aquarium probably isn't the best enclosure for an indoor tortoise
4. An indoor tortoise will need a UVB bulb, not an LED. And he will need to be kept warm

Please read our care sheets. You'll find them pinned towards the tops of our species specific sections

 

[Dwarf Caiman]

Thank u both for answering I'm going to read different care guides here and then come back with questions

 

[JoesMum]

The needs of each species are very different and thus you cannot mix species for that reason.

Don’t get a pair. They are territorial loners that don’t want, need or like company.

Be aware of the eventual size of your choice. Leopard Torts grow to 40lb/20 inches, Red Eared Slider to 7lb/12 inches... and they can all live for 50 years and more. You need to plan your life around an animal that isn’t that straightforward to care for!

Even the smallest species, eg Russian, needs plenty of floor area once past the yearling stage. You will need to provide a minimum of 4’ x 8’ just for a single Russian.

I recommend you read some of the TFO care guides to see what is involved.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

A few of the species specific care guides by way of example:

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tortoise
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Redfoot Tortoise Care
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-tortoise-caresheet.172531/

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi

 

[Dwarf Caiman]

The needs of each species are very different and thus you cannot mix species for that reason.

Don’t get a pair. They are territorial loners that don’t want, need or like company.

Be aware of the eventual size of your choice. Leopard Torts grow to 40lb/20 inches, Red Eared Slider to 7lb/12 inches... and they can all live for 50 years and more. You need to plan your life around an animal that isn’t that straightforward to care for!

Even the smallest species, eg Russian, needs plenty of floor area once past the yearling stage. You will need to provide a minimum of 4’ x 8’ just for a single Russian.

I recommend you read some of the TFO care guides to see what is involved.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

A few of the species specific care guides by way of example:

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tortoise
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Redfoot Tortoise Care
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-tortoise-caresheet.172531/

Thank u

 

[Dwarf Caiman]

Hi
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Hello[emoji1]

 

[Sleppo]

Hi and good job going your research ahead of time that’s the smart thing to do.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome to the forum. Good luck in your choice.

 

[Lyn W]

Time for me to say Nos Da.
See you soon.

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Welcome to the forum.