Keeping Males together?

[GoMargotgo]

I have three adult male box turtles, two eastern, one Ornate. I have always kept them apart, was told too much stress otherwise. Is this true? Can I let them enjoy the companionship or will they attack each other?

 

[wellington]

I would keep them apart. Most likely will not get along. See what boxie owners say. I don't think I would take the chance.

 

[diamondbp]

Well that depends on alot of variables. Are they the only turtles in your group? Are there any females? and if so how many? How large is your enclosure? and how many hides and barriers are there?

If you only have 3 males and no females they should be kept seperate. If you had a 3:3 it MAY be possible to keep them together depending on their personalities, but it would be unlikely.

I've always attempted to maintain a 1male to 4female ratio with my box turtles.

But there is always exceptions to the rule. You may have 3 very placid males that will stay together just fine. That's for you to decide and monitor closely. Give us some more details and we can further our recommendations.

 

[GoMargotgo]

No females. Thanks.

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If I put all three (or just 2) together, I would create a large enough habitat with hiding places for all....
Sounds like just getting a female or two is not enough, I would have to add at least three, ideally more!

 

[CapturedSerpant]

I would keep them separated, unless you are willing to get a good amount of females.

 

[Yvonne G]

Unless you have a very large, previously un-inhabited, outdoor enclosure, I would not put these turtles together. If you do have a place outside where none of them have ever lived before, and it's large, then it might work out because none of them would have claimed it as their own in the past. However, box turtles are pretty territorial, and if you try to set them up someplace else they would be continually trying to escape back to their own territory.