Introducing my map turtle to a new friend..

[TerryTerrapin]

A friend asked me if I wanted her 10year old, 7" male YBS to co-habitate with my ~1-2 year old, 4" male missisippi map. My turtle has been alone with me for almost a year now, I don't know what he's like with company. I don't know what this other turtle is like either. I don't think my tank would be big enough anyway, but what would the guidelines be for housing 2 turtles?

 

[Anthony P]

You have to do so very carefully. Turtles don't have friends. They can be and usually are quite aggressive to one another, especially in smaller enclosures. Every turtle is different and every situation is different, with countless variables at play simultaneously. All we can do is be the best keepers we can, by limiting red flags that would increase the chances of things going poorly. In other words, we need to limit how many turtles are crammed into one small space.