Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise

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Posted by Terry on June 26, 2002 at 19:57:45:

In Reply to: Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise posted by Cat* on June 26, 2002 at 18:18:38:

Cat* wrote:

"I would prefer terry to go back and research on his own about these tortoises for he has given me some false information">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Please state what false information I have given you?

Kinixys erosa

*Tropical species*

Do not hibernate

Omnivorous diet

Some live food

Require varying degrees of humidity

*Moist substrate required*

Require large to very large terrarium

Regular soaking or constant access to water recommended

Active at dawn and dusk - secretive

Stress very easily

"Do not mix hinge-back tortoises with other species and check specimens regularly for parasites; these species are highly susceptible to "worms" and other internal parasites, such as flagellate organisms"

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/ckinixys.html

9) I was told that I needed to separate different types of turtles from one another, but other breeders say it's no problem?
[ULf Edqvist] There are several valid reasons not to mix tortoises and turtles of different species in the same enclosure. Below are the three reasons I feel are most important.

1) ***Many species are incompatible because of differing environmental needs. It goes without saying that the compromises one is forced to make when trying to satify the needs of, f.e. a Spurred tortoise from the arid subsaharan Africa and those of a Hingeback from the deep tropical forests of the western and central parts of the same continent, are doomed to condemn at least one, and most likely both tortoises to a slow death.***

2) Maybe the most important factor that speaks against mixing different kinds of turtles and tortoises is the risk of cross infection. Chelonians naturally harbors many organisms that, while not posing any danger to the carrying animal, might be lethal to an individual of another species. This risk, according to some, is especially large when the species in question originate from different parts of the world, while the risk is said to diminish (but not disappear) if the animals in question are captive bred and raised.

3) The third reason not to mix different varieties of turtles or tortoises together is the risk of them harming eachother. The breeding behaviour in many species is quite rough, involving butting, biting and ramming, and while a female of the same species is 'built' for that particular type of rough handling, a female of another species is most likely not equipped to come out of such an ordeal unharmed.

The conclusion: - Do try to avoid housing different varieties of chelonians together, the gain (in space) is simply not worth the risk of injury, disease - or even death.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html

A habitat for Horsfield's

"This is a species that requires a very dry, well-drained substrate indeed - Horsfield's tortoises are unsuited to maintenance on damp clay soils, or on grass. If Horsfield's tortoises are maintained on damp ground, expect repeated skin, shell and respiratory infections."

Add to all this the fact that Russians hibernate and Hingebacks don't.

Follow Ups:

Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise Cat* 06/27/02 (4)
- Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise Terry 06/27/02 (0)
- Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise nathan 06/27/02 (2)
  - Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise Cat* 06/27/02 (1)
    - Re: Russian/hingeback tortoise nathan 06/27/02 (0)

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Comments:
: : Cat* wrote: : "I would prefer terry to go back and research on his own about these tortoises for he has given me some false information">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. : Please state what false information I have given you? : Kinixys erosa : : *Tropical species* : Do not hibernate : Omnivorous diet : Some live food : Require varying degrees of humidity : *Moist substrate required* : Require large to very large terrarium : Regular soaking or constant access to water recommended : Active at dawn and dusk - secretive : Stress very easily : "Do not mix hinge-back tortoises with other species and check specimens regularly for parasites; these species are highly susceptible to "worms" and other internal parasites, such as flagellate organisms" : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/ckinixys.html : 9) I was told that I needed to separate different types of turtles from one another, but other breeders say it's no problem? : [ULf Edqvist] There are several valid reasons not to mix tortoises and turtles of different species in the same enclosure. Below are the three reasons I feel are most important. : 1) ***Many species are incompatible because of differing environmental needs. It goes without saying that the compromises one is forced to make when trying to satify the needs of, f.e. a Spurred tortoise from the arid subsaharan Africa and those of a Hingeback from the deep tropical forests of the western and central parts of the same continent, are doomed to condemn at least one, and most likely both tortoises to a slow death.*** : 2) Maybe the most important factor that speaks against mixing different kinds of turtles and tortoises is the risk of cross infection. Chelonians naturally harbors many organisms that, while not posing any danger to the carrying animal, might be lethal to an individual of another species. This risk, according to some, is especially large when the species in question originate from different parts of the world, while the risk is said to diminish (but not disappear) if the animals in question are captive bred and raised. : 3) The third reason not to mix different varieties of turtles or tortoises together is the risk of them harming eachother. The breeding behaviour in many species is quite rough, involving butting, biting and ramming, and while a female of the same species is 'built' for that particular type of rough handling, a female of another species is most likely not equipped to come out of such an ordeal unharmed. : The conclusion: - Do try to avoid housing different varieties of chelonians together, the gain (in space) is simply not worth the risk of injury, disease - or even death. : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html : : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html : A habitat for Horsfield's : "This is a species that requires a very dry, well-drained substrate indeed - Horsfield's tortoises are unsuited to maintenance on damp clay soils, or on grass. If Horsfield's tortoises are maintained on damp ground, expect repeated skin, shell and respiratory infections." : Add to all this the fact that Russians hibernate and Hingebacks don't.

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