General Care Discussion :: Introducing the Kids with the Adults

[mybrosteve]

Hey everyone. Today i was cleaning the baby turtles' tank (with my new 50' python filler, a GREAT investment) and i figured id stick the babies in with Big Turtle and Little Turtle while I cleaned their tank. They had all spent some time together outside in the baby pool over the summer with no problems. I was going to put them back in their tank once I was done but when i saw the three babies basking already i decided to let them in there. I kept an eye on them all evening and aside from a little nervous mouth opening when they were checking each other out they got along fine. Does anyone know of a good or suggested way to introduce them to the same tank so they don't get aggressive? Having them all in the same tank would make things (cleaning, eclectic bill, etc.) easier but i don't want anything to happen to the babies. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

Unfortunately, I think the babies will be at great risk as long as they are much smaller than the big ones. A big one can injure or kill a little one in seconds, and it's impossible to predict when they'll suddenly feel aggressive.

Even if they are introduced to each other very carefully, or if they've been together since they were hatchlings, they may start to fight one day. We've seen it over and over on here - turtles live together in harmony for months or years, then start fighting and have to be separated.

One factor that seems to increase aggressivness is having too many turtles for the space. Having 5 turtles in one tank probably means they are pretty close together. Another thing that increases aggressiveness is introducing a new turtle into a tank where an existing turtle has established his territory. Another thing is having males and females together.

If it were me, I wouldn't take the chance. Try searching around on here on terms like "multiple turtles" or "separation" or something similar and you can see the stories from people who have tried to make it work.

[mybrosteve]

Thanks, ill definitely be keeping a close eye on them. The babies' old tank is still up and running so I can remove them at the first sign of trouble.