All Turtles Message Board

TallysMom · Level 2 Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 60

I have a female RES, Darley, who is about 7 inches long. She's in a 110-gallon high, and it looks awfully bare with just her in there. So, a couple of weeks ago I obtained a 5-inch male RES who had lived his whole life with another turtle. (The other turtle found another home.) Darley has always been an only turtle as far as I know.

I just got around to setting up a second basking area in the tank (had to drain and clean the tank while I was at it, major process), so before that Justin (the new male) was in with my little one, 3-inch Packy, in a 40-gallon breeder tank. He has been very interested in her, doing the mating dance and following her around. He has shown no aggression.

OK, so this morning we put a divider in the tank so each turtle could have its own side but they could see and talk to each other -- it's a couple of sink drainer things (a grid of rubber-covered wire, keeps your dishes from crashing into the porcelain/cast iron sink bottom) wired together. They can get noses and paws through the grating but not both at the same time. The idea was that they would get to know each other and at some point we would get rid of the divider.

We put Justin in there and when Darley noticed him (she was basking to start with) she just kept trying to bite him. He wasn't trying to bite and he was interested in her, so he didn't run and hide, not too smart of him in my opinion -- he just stayed within range and she kept trying to attack. She finally got one of his front feet in her jaws, through the grating. My husband banged on the glass and she dropped it, and then we took Justin out.

My question is, is this initial hostile reaction the way it's going to be? I know females are more likely to be aggressive, and she has never had to share her territory with anyone. Is there a possibility she will change her attitude toward him, or not?

Thanks in advance.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

Adult females are very territorial and agggressive. I have three big ones myself and two older males that have to be kept in a seperate pen. Put a regular screen in there so they can share the space but the water can flow through for your filter or opt for seperate pens. It is your only options.

dixieee · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:21 pm Post subject:

she knows that this is her place that's why he's considered an intruder. try taking her out in another setup for 3-4 days and when u put her back make sure she sees that the male was there b4 so she gets the idea that she is the new one and has to accept the owner (the male). it might not work although it did with me but even though, she might get stressed so if it's not worth it don't let it go on for too long

good luck Smile

_________________
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

TallysMom · Level 2 Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 60

Guess Darley is going to have the big tank to herself, then. Justin is back with Packy for good -- and they do get along.

Just caught them basking -- with her on top of him!

Maybe I'll alternate basking lights so Darley can have some variety (two platforms were built, expecting two turtles to be in there) -- she does seem to like looking out the window, too, now that the algae is gone and the shade can be up again.