All Turtles Message Board

ginlin · Level 1 Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

new turtle owner. Have had two res six months old. one is following the smaller one fanning front legs in his face and smelling him. what is this and is this normal. does it a lot and is stressing the littler one.

Fred_and_George · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject:

it is probably the mating ritual 'dance'. it is part of the courtship of turtles before they mate. because they are still young, it is more likely the bigger turtle showing dominance over the smaller turtle. it is completely normal, mine do it sometimes, and, like with yours, its the bigger one doing it to the smaller one. you shouldnt worry about it, but you should probably watch just to make sure is doesnt escalate to nipping or fighting.