Redfoot/Yellowfoot Hybrids?

[Lunartwist]

The other day I was wandering around the internet, pretty much just awwing at the cute pictures of little baby redfoots, when I came upon something odd.

http://www.theturtlesource.com/tortoise_inventory.asp?cat=444&id=225689759

It shows three hatchlings as possible redfoot/yellowfoot hybrids. I know the redfoots and yellow foots were closely related, but I didn't know they were capable of breeding together. You think that's even possible?

It also goes on to imply in the article that they keep their breeding colonies of redfoots and yellowfoots together, obviously, otherwise they wouldn't have these supposed accidental hybrids. I know that mixing species of tortoises is not recommended, but being related enough to possibly interbreed, is it safe to house them together? Also with cherryheads?

I must say, I'm just so amazed at this article, I didn't even know people housed them together and they could breed. I thought they were completely separate species, but just slightly related to each other.

[KQ6AR]

When some tortoises cross, the offspring is sterile.
Don't know if that would be the case with these,or not.

[Lunartwist]

Yeah neither do I. I was just surprised people house their breeding groups together and they actually crossbred.

But then again I guess, depending on region, they do stay pretty much similar size by a few inches difference, and need all the same habitat requirements...