All Turtles Message Board

claude77 · Guest Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 2

I have three red eared sliders, two females and one male. They all get along; one female is one and a half years old and has a 7 inch shell already, the other 2 are the same age, about 1 year old, and are smaller in size. They all share a 30 gallon tank. This evening the male(Milo) was at the bottom of the tank face to face with the female(Chloe) that is his age and size. He was using his considerably long nails to poke Chloe in the face and eye. I thought it was an accident, but he kept at it for a minute or two until she bit at him. What type of behavior is this? Should I be worried for Chloe?

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:03 am Post subject:

Mating behaviour, the male lightly scratches at the side of the female's face with both claws, he is trying to entice her to mate. Very Happy

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dixieee · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:32 am Post subject:

yep and if she likes it, u'll find them mating at the bottom soon Smile

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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

At a year old they won't be mating. Also males do this lots. They usually won't try to mate until they are 4 years old or so. Mine were 6 and 7 before they even tried mating although the mating dance can occur for years before. Ask me how I know. LOL

A 30 gallon tank is to small for three turtles especially at their ages and sizes. With 2 females you will need at a min 150 gal tank and a safe place for the male to hide. Or a better option would be a 50 gal for him and a 100 gal for the females. Usually as females age they get agressive...very aggressive.

dixieee · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:26 pm Post subject: