can u house a thb with a thh

[swad1000]

Depends on who you speak too, a lot of keepers would advise about mixing subspecies, and certainly would not interbreed subspecies.

Others don't see it as a problem.

[EJ]

It's not a question of 'can' but 'should'. In this case it really doesn't matter because of the difficulty of establishing origin. These are just pets with a lineage that probably can't be traced. They can just produce... more pets.

Again... this is why I never really got into Testudo. I've got a 2 males and a female that I'd love to pair... no way I'm going to comfortably do that because I don't know the origin of what I have nor do I trust anyone with the origin of the animals available.

This is why I try to buy animals with limited ranges or animals in complete groups.

Originally Posted by anna m

Are they different species or could they both bred and get viable offspring? I know it's not advisable to interbreed species. Would that be the same for sub - species?

[EJ]

So... you don't have any tortoises together?

Originally Posted by alicia

if it were me i personally wouldn't want to put them together. if some thing could happen later in life (size difference, two males, agressivness, different needs) i'd much rather be safe than sorry.

[alicia]

not of different subspecies, no

[sandy]

Most sensible keepers wont interbreed tortoises, as they want to help keep speices true. There are occasions when it happens by mistake. But they certainly wouldnt do it deliberately.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Its my personal view but I don't think we should let the THH and THB breed. I like the fact that there are differences between them and I think that should continue to be the case. In the THH there are very wide regional differences within the subspecies, in France they recognise two forms, the Corse and the Variose. The Italian keepers also recognise several regional forms that are different again. All this diversity is at risk already, without us making it more so.

I don't know if there are regional types within the THB but the animals in that group do vary a lot as well.

I would describe the range of the THH as being limited and becoming more so.

In France the 'purity' of the native THH is thought to be under threat from hybrids that were bred in captivity then escaped (or were dumped) into the wild. But I guess they didn't travel from the UK to breed with native torts in France.

[swad1000]

Its like most species, they all at some point had a common ancestor, the various subspecies of tortoises, given time will continue to sperate from one another, and will eventually become seperate species.

Well they will if we let them, if we interbreed then obviously they won't, especially if captive specimens get back into wild populations.

[Tracy D]

Im so confused now, i dont no what to do

[EJ]

The point that seem to being missed here is the definition... If you can't or have trouble defining it... how can you segregate it?

As I've mentioned... with a known population... I'll never mix animals... but... as in this case... if there are unknowns... what does it matter... especially with similar animals.

I'd be willing to bet that even with the purist keeper in the UK they are 'mixing species'... especially with those that 'rescue' tortoises.

[EJ]

My suggestion... do what you want and not what anyone tells you... seperate them... or... not. They are your pets and the combining... or not... of those pets is no different than with any other animal.

Originally Posted by Tracy D

Im so confused now, i dont no what to do