General Care Discussion :: Housing two older turtles

[YourOtherLeft]

I have a 10 year old female RES, there may be the possibility for me to adopt another female RES who is around 8 years old. My turtle has always lived by herself and it appears the same with the other RES.

So my question is has anyone been able to house two older turtles together successfully? I know some have but I believe most have been juveniles?

I'm worried about aggression and as of now I only have one tank and there would be no way in to foreseeable future to be able to afford a second tank.

[blackforces get you]

i like how you are opening your home to another pet. thats a good heart. but they might be aggressive so to be on the save side i wouldn't adopt it.

i bought 2 turtles once and one died so i bought a bigger one. and this was before i got on this site. luckily, they woren't aggressive to each other. i didn't know bigger ones get aggressive to smaller ones

but since you have the same sex turtles, its possible they can be aggresive

[seanwb]

There is a risk of agression, therefore it may work, or it may not.

Given you do not have the option of a second tank, then I would suggest that you do not adopt the other.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

You have a better chance of them living together since there both females. usually females are not aggresive at all.

[untsmurf]

You do have a better chance of them living together without aggression. But since they are bigger, any aggression could result in larger injuries (as compared to what happens between juvies). I'd say until you can afford the possibility of separating them, that you should let someone else adopt them.

Unless of course you have like a 2000 gallon pond or something, then you're in the clear!

[mikee]

Your-left -- Your worries are well founded. There are severl things that will be a problem. 1-They are adults and less likely to adjust. 2-They have been alone and not accustomed to company and lastly they are res. If you don't have the doe to get another set up you may be in trouble. They are large enough to do some real damage to the other. m.

[ShellbyRES16x]

Since they are both females they will probably be like friends! I would give it a try, and if they don't like each other, maybe you can put them together a few hours a day and gradually get them to be okay together. It's all your choice!

[mikee]

Shell-16x Turtles are very territorial and except for propagation they like to be left alone when they have reached adulthood. If they were hatchlings: maybe?? When adult sliders bite they mean business!! M.

[YourOtherLeft]

Thanks all. As much as I want to rescue all the unwanted animals out there, after reading your responses I think it would be wise for me to not do it. My tank is 150 gallon which I think is small for Spaz and adding another turtle that may or may not get along with mine could end very badly.

[untsmurf]

That's probably the right decision and it's for the best!