All Turtles Message Board

kab134 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 12

Kauai (RES) keeps biting little Oahu's leg!! She's twice his size and he's not doing anything wrong as far as I can see! I'm afraid she's really going to hurt him! She chomps down and doesn't let go...I have to knock her off. Why is she doing this? Is it normal? How can I stop it? Maui (Female RES) never does this, why is Kauai?

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject:

One of two things, it may be part of the mating ritual, some turtles will give small bites or nudges on the female to entice her to mate, or two, it might be territory fighting, the male might feel that the female is trying to take his territory. either way, they would need to be separated. Sad

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kab134 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 12

Hhhmmm....Well...it's the female biting the male so that rules out the mating ritual right? The tank is plenty big so I would hope that it's not territorial. I'll have to keep my eye on them and if it happens again I'll have to take her out for a little wile. Since there's two females and one male I wonder if it's a jealousy thing. It's funny 'cuz one minute she's biting him and the next minute they are up on the rock together laying on top of each other. Goofy turtles! Rolling Eyes

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1228

The only time mine ever got along was when they were basking.

Females are usually the more aggressive ones. You say your tank is big enough, but how old and how large are your turtles and how big exactly is your tank?

kab134 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 12

The females are about 4" long...if that. The little guy is smaller. I have a 30x20x15 tank. I'm not sure how many gallons it is...I bought it as a set. I fill it half way and I use my little 5 gallon (geeze..I think it's a five gallon) tank to fill it and I have to dump water into it three times. (if not more)

They seem to be getting along better now...but I still keep my eye on them.