Sticking to one species per tank may not have had anything to do with this incident. Both of these species are native to the US and may inhabit the same water. It may have been a factor, but not the only one. Don't forget about the number of turtles in the tank. How many are there and how much room is there? Also, if there is a large sixe difference between the turtles that can lead to trouble... as can battling males. It could've happened between two RES's... I've heard some people report that they've had RES become very aggressive to other turtles as they grow (I don't know if it's true, but some have said that). Sometimes things just happen, just keep them seperate from now on because you know there are aggression issues.



Anyway, there are things you can do at home, although you should still seek a vet if the wound is bad enough. I would dry tank him for most of the day, putting him in a seperate tank for water and swimming for two one-hour sessions at least until the wound stops bleeding and starts to heal. Also apply a topical antibiotic to the wound. Good luck.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Help! Need turtle first aid. - rudedogsurfrat, Wed Jul 9 18:29:12 2003
• Take it to a reptile vet and stick to one species per tank...np - zhiv9, Wed Jul 9 19:38:18 2003
• RE: Take it to a reptile vet and stick to one species per tank...np - Keri, Wed Jul 9 20:53:05 2003
• Thank you kerri. This is what I was planning to do. N/P - rudedogsurfrat, Wed Jul 9 23:18:39 2003
• RE: Take it to a reptile vet and stick to one species per tank...np - zhiv9, Thu Jul 10 14:30:43 2003
• RE: Take it to a reptile vet and stick to one species per tank...np - Keri, Thu Jul 10 15:17:02 2003
• zhiv9. I would rather not have people like you answer my posts. thanks. N/p - rudedogsurfrat, Wed Jul 9 23:17:06 2003
• People like me???? Just call em as I see him, response wasn't unreasonable. - zhiv9, Thu Jul 10 14:24:43 2003
• zhiv9, your intitial response was "holier than thou". Not helpful - rudedogsurfrat, Sat Jul 12 18:22:48 2003
• It's just a "signature", it automatically goes on every post. n/p - bufoexul, Sun Jul 13 05:42:35 2003