Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle Friend

[RonnWilliams]

Hey Turtle Talk Family!

I was wondering, are there any good "friends" for RES? Besides, another RES are there any other animals I could throw in the tank for company (that he WON'T eat)? This may sound silly, but my Timmy kinda looks lonely.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[untsmurf]

This comes up a lot and there is some disagreement, but the common understanding is that RES are solitary creatures. They prefer to live on their own. Any new addition (especially one with a big size difference) will result in aggression and possible death. The majority of the users here that have had multiple turtles in the same tank can attest to this. I can as well. My turtle killed my second turtle that I added to be his 'friend' and they were the same size. I say, just focus on caring for your one turtle. Only having one turtle allows you to spoil him with great veggies and toys.

[TheComputerGremlin]

You can try some faster swimming fish, as long as you don't get attached to them. With enough hiding places, they can last a little longer. Just make sure that if you do buy any edible friends, that they aren't poisonous or barbed or anything.

As untsmurf said, another turtle is usually a bad idea.

[megcornell]

The only friends I give my turtles (each lives in it's own tank) are feeder fish. Occassionally one or two of the fish will live a while but they really don't last too long with my always hungry turtles .

In reality, reptiles aren't social like mammals. They don't need to live in packs or pairs or anything. The only time they come together is if there is a really good basking spot that everyone wants, or to mate. You certainly can get Timmy a "friend" but be prepared for the outcome that they won't get along. You'll need to be ready and able to buy a whole other turtle set up and keep upgrading two set ups for your turtles' lives. Also, it's always wise to quarantine new turtles before adding them to a tank for 60-90 days at the least. Do you have someplace you can quarantine a new turtle or would you have to buy that as well?
I know from experience how expensive two turtle set ups are. It's a huge gamble and you'll likely end up with two separate tanks. If that's something you're okay with then by all means look into giving another turtle a good home. Otherwise, let Timmy live solo. He probably likes it that way.

[RaytheonLiszt]

Hey! One of my turts is named Timmy! Huzza.

But yeah, just let him live alone. It'll be better for him.
When I got my two turtles, and they started in a ten gallon. They lived fine together (no aggression at all). But when I upgraded them to a 20G Long, the problems started. Had to separate them! So sad...

[mzkitty23]

Mine likes to watch my dogs and kid play...lol. u could give him something to tear up, that's what i do with Krueger....anacharis or a nice piece of chicken (occasional treat only of course on the chicken). mine also really enjoys watching himself in a mirrow, but i'd supervise this for a while to make sure he don't hurt himself or anything, thinking it's another turtle.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sheba is VERY happy living on her own. She gets EXTREMELY territorial if there is another turtle in the tank with her (or if I show her a photograph of another turtle, that just makes her cringe). Her tank is HER space, HER ROOM, and beware anyone or anything ventures into the tank with her!!!!

Having said that, she enjoys my company, and when I come home from work, I sometimes let her out to walk around with me (she follows me around).

Keep in mind that I have had Sheba for 18 yrs so after all that time together, somewhere along the way, we became friends. She's my little buddy.

[Daniel3507]

i think ive seen a video of sheba coming to you when you call her name on youtube

[RonnWilliams]

WOW!

Thanks for all of the great input. I don't have the money to have two seperate tanks, so I'll just give Timmy all of my attention. You guys rock!

[SpotsMama]

My turtle's best friend has always been a rock. He likes a medium sized dark river rock with yellow strips. I like to think he's fond of my hubby and I too. He always seems glad to see us.

[Kool]

Alot of people say that RES are solitary but i have two one male 4" and one female 5" in a aquarium there fine together. And the rest about 5 of them in a outdoor pond, expecting hatchlings soon

[2slidernyc]

I have a 3 yr old RES in a tank with a baby RES, and there is no agression at all. I will pay close attention to them now that I've read all this. I knew there might be some problems but we tried anyways. The big one seems to try to hoard the food more but other than that she's pretty civil with the little guy. They bask together, swim together.. I'm also worried when the baby grows up if he will be more agressive than her..

[steve]

2slidernyc, please separate them. At that size, you might not have the opportunity to rectify a mistake. Even if there is no aggression, a hatchling can easily be accidentally harmed.