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Turtles/Reeves with other turtles in a pond

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Expert: Mark Adkins - 3/7/2008


Question
During spring/summer I will be putting our 2 reeves turtles in the 8x9x1.5 average depth pond in our back yard, it will be turtle proof before then.  I would like to put at least one other turtle in the pond that will be fine year round that will come out of the water some of the time, we live between sacramento and san francisco.  very thin ice on the pond 2 times last year and none this year.  we have shabunkins, plants, and two kids that like turtles. Thank you, DAVID in fairfield ca

Answer
You have a LOT of choices- most temperate-climate turtles will tolerate the water and freeze nicely. You may want to think about seeing if anyone locally at the California Turtle and Tortoise Club can help- http://www.tortoise.org

All things being equal, I would go simple and try the Painted Turtle- attractive, rugged, easy to care for, sub-loving, and inexpensive.

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Mark Adkins

Expertise

My specialty is tortoises, especially Red-foot Tortoises. I will try to help with any tortoise-related question I can. I will also help with general questions about things like behavior of wild turtles, etc. You can also try my website at http://www.tortoiselibrary.com

PLEASE- No water or box turtle questions. If you have a question about Box Turtles, Red-ear Sliders, Painted Turtles, or other turtles, please try a different expert or http://www.turtleforum.com. It is free and very helpful.

I am not a vet or a breeder, herpetologist, etc. I'm just a guy who likes tortoises. I reserve the right to send you to a website or forum if they have a better answer than I can offer rather than doing long cut-and-pastes, etc. I also will not second guess a vet or recommend home surgery or self-prescribing prescription meds.

Experience

Have kept tortoises on and off since 1965. Currently keep a herd of 4 'Cherry-head' Red-foot Tortoises. Have written extensively on this subject.

Education/Credentials
Associates Degree in Applied Science, Graduate- Tortoise Trust Course in Advanced Chelonian Husbandry

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