All Turtles Message Board

kerflufle1 · Level 1 Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 9

I have two baby rio grande red ear sliders. The slightly bigger of the two has been latching on to the other with its mouth on the back of the neck. Then the biting turtle seems to go limp as the other turtle swims vigorously to try and shake the biter lose. I have witnessed this twice, who knows how many times it happens when I am not here. Maybe they are just playing? But the one being bitten really doesnt seem to like it at all. Any thoughts?--I know its strange. Thanks.

toxiceagle2007 · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:40 am Post subject: Re: neck biting

It sounds like agression, not playing, to me. How big is your tank. Maybe they don\'t have enough room and its causing them to get aggressive. Maybe getting a bigger tank might help or else you might have to keep them separated.
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dixieee · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: neck biting

it might be mating too, they act really agressive sometimes when they want to mate (although i don\'t think this is the case)
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

Yup I agree, neck biting is serious agression. This happens. That is why I don\'t normally suggest keeping more than one turtle. That is just their nature.

You should try to get seperate tanks for them as the agressor will usually not give up. A pond also would work well as you can set it up so the little one has little hidey holes to protect itself.
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kerflufle1 · Level 1 Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 9

It is an 80 gallon tank. They are both babies, and are less than 2 inches long, I think they have plenty of room. I live in an apartment and can\'t have a pond and really don\'t have the room (or money) for another tank. If it gets worse I guess I will have to get rid of one. I have been studying turtles for awhile and haven\'t seen this before! sigh. Thanks for the posts.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

I was fortunate enough to catch mine bitting. It was my older female she really took a bad chunk out of Jaspers neck and it took many months to heal. I was luck because they will commonly bite the others head off. This happens alot more than many people realize. Sad

Since you have a large tank and they are still babies, would it be possible to put a divider in there? You can get the plexiglass pieces with the holes, or drill your own. You would need to double up on your basking area as well as your basking lamp. But it might be an option.
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Captain_Turtle · Level 3 Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 206

Bill1125 · Level 2 Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 30

What was your solution?

Mine is temporarily seperating them with a homeade divider (Tub top). The problem is my tank is 75 gallon, so half of that is not enough for both of them. I'm questioning if 75 gallon is big enough in general.

Also, how do you guys have your tank setup? I currently have 2 fluvals, a heater, and the water 3/4 deep on the 75 gallon. Thinking about doing the part land, part water setup, but is it harder to keep clean? The water wouldn't be as deep.

dixieee · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:22 am Post subject:

u can build the land area on top (something like 2 stories) and in that way they'll have bigger land and bigger water areas.
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u