I chose to talk about those two reptiles because they are some of the most popular choices as pet reptiles, along with turtles. They are very slow compared to most animals, and of course, they have a shell in which most of them can retract.
If you combine this with their ability to hide in the shell you have a very dangerous reptile. Most turtles that we see in our lives are usually not very big, but in some remote places of the world, some turtle species can reach huge sizes, like the well known Galapagos tortoise who can reach lengths of 5 feet 1.
Most turtles live near big masses of water, like lakes, rivers, and ponds. There are also 7 species that live in the oceans of the world, and there are also some turtle species that live in the desert. Turtles live almost in every habitat possible, with the exception of Antarctica.
By most people, snakes are known as dangerous predators that should be avoided if possible, but in reality that is not the case with all snakes. Snakes have a very unique appearance that makes it impossible to mistake them with another reptile. They have a very long and slender body that has no limbs, and they are covered in scales. Depending on the species those scales can be colored with bright colors that stand out or dull colors that help them mix with the surroundings.
They also live in a lot of environments, but unlike turtles most snake species prefer to live on land instead of water. They can also be found on most continents, but the biggest concentration of snakes is in the tropic areas.
Lizards are a very diverse group of reptiles, there are a lot of species out there that, unlike snakes and turtles, resemble very little with one another. There are about 6. Most lizards have four legs and a tail, some species have a very weak tail that can break of very easily, and after a while, it will grow back.
They are covered in scales that usually have the color of the environment where they live, and there are a few lizard-like chameleons that is able to change their color. Like the snakes and turtles, that we described earlier, lizards also live in almost every part of the world with the exception of Antarctica.
They generally prefer deserts, marshes, rocky areas, and areas with a lot of heat. Most pet turtles require a tank that is filled with water. There are some species that live mostly on land but they are not that common as pets. As a general rule of thumb, the tank should be filled with 10 gallons of water for every inch of the shell.
As the turtles grow bigger this rule starts to apply less and less and more water is required. Turtles can be affected by the dirty water, but only if they spend extremely long periods of time in it.
Other reptiles are not so tolerant to dirty water as turtles are, so this will be a problem if you try to put them together in the same tank. The problem with a filter is that it will usually be pretty loud, and a lot of lizards rely on sound to avoid predators.
Having a constant loud noise near them can make them feel tense and alert all the time. Turtles also need a separate area where they can gather heat and UV rays, this is known as a basking area. The heat will come from a heating light and the UV rays will come from a UV light bulb.
Both of them are required for the well-being of the turtle. And then there are plants, turtles love them, but not as decorations, they love them as food.
No plant can share the space with a turtle for too long before it gets eaten. And this can be a problem for a lot of lizards since they require to have some plants in their tank.
Snakes can live in two kinds of enclosures, a terrarium or a cage. Terrariums are very similar to tanks, they both have 4 glass walls with and a bottom part, and they also have an open-top, or an easily accessible one. Cages usually maintain the same aspect as a terrarium, but instead of glass walls, they are made out of wood and metallic nets.
The size of the cage or terrarium is determined by the snake species and its size. This piece is by no means intended to exclude beginners, but is must be noted that one should have a thorough understanding of basic reptile husbandry prior to engaging in the type of projects discussed below. Furthermore, readers should understand that much of the content herein is still considered controversial in some circles.
Keep in mind that the author nor editor make any claims as to the absolute appropriateness or guaranteed success of keeping multiple species together. The goal here is to introduce the interested hobbyist to some of the pros and cons of multi-species habitats, as well as some of the many considerations that should be made during the planning stages.
As with any aspect of herpeteculture, there is more than one right way to maintain multiple species together. What follows is based upon the observations of the author as well as upon other compiled sources of data and personal communications. Only after carefully reading this article in full should the decision be made to undertake such a "risky" endeavor. In the wild, many reptile and amphibian species have overlapping ranges and share their habitats with each other.
However, in nature, there are no boundaries. There are no glass walls or screened panels forcing a group of animals to live in close contact. This simple fact is a direct answer to the so often posed quandary, "But they cross paths in nature, right?
Also, in nature reptiles and amphibians are being subjected to their optimal living conditions. This is not to say that contemporary herp keepers are incapable of properly providing for their charges, but that there is no substitution for mother nature. Wild animals receive a perfectly balanced diet, exposure to natural sunlight, and the ability to locate more suitable surroundings should the need arise. As a result, wild animals are not going to be predisposed to many of the maladies that frequently present themselves in captive animals.
Issues with malnutrition and environmental stress are quite rare among animals in the wild, and therefore these animals will often prove sturdier overall than those reared in captivity. So in short, the harmonious cohabitation that occurs in the Costa Rican rainforest is less likely to present itself in the terrarium.
The first and perhaps most basic thing to consider when selecting species to house together are their natural habitats. For example, keeping desert species with tropical species would simply not work. Regardless of how much effort was put into the terrarium design, one or both species would not have their environmental needs met. On a more specific level, the actual geographic origins of the species should be considered.
In general, animals from the same area, be it a region, country, or even mountain range will fare better than those found in opposite sides of the globe. But limitations still exist. While rosy boas and bearded dragons may both be loosely classified as "desert" animals they would fail to make acceptable roommates.
In addition, larger tanks usually require additional heat and light sources, as well as more thermometers, to help ensure environmental conditions are kept constant. If the tank is aquatic, additional rocks will be necessary to ensure that there is adequate dry land for more than one pet, and if the species is arboreal tree-climbing , additional branches will be needed to ensure that everyone has a place to perch.
In general, the larger the tank, the better. So, for example, leopard geckos may be housed with other leopard geckos but not with crested geckos or day geckos. Different species have different light, heat, humidity, and temperature requirements.
In general, groups of same species females may be housed together with or without one male. However, only one male should be kept in the tank, as males tend to be more territorial than females and are more likely to fight. This is just a rule-of-thumb, as females can fight with each other as well, and individual males may torment females when they want to mate and are rebuffed.
Therefore, regardless of gender combinations in a tank, when a new reptile is added and the social hierarchy is reconfigured, tank-mates need to be monitored closely for fighting. If any aggressive behavior is noted, reptiles should be separated immediately before injury ensues. When stressed by a change in environment, a seemingly healthy reptile can break with disease such as gastrointestinal parasites when introduced into its new enclosure.
This can result in illness and even death for the newly introduced reptile or for the existing pets. Therefore, housing the new introduction separately for at least a month while monitoring it for signs of sickness can help prevent tragic loss.
A second pet in a tank means twice as much fecal and urine production and twice as much wasted food. All this waste can build up in a tank quickly, leading to high ammonia levels, poor quality living conditions, and increased chance of infection spread.
Thus, more than one pet in a tank means both more frequent spot cleaning of bedding and more frequent complete tank disinfection.
If the tank is aquatic, with more than one turtle in a larger tank, there will be more waste in the water, requiring a more powerful filter. All of this translates into more work for more than one pet.
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