Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've gotten 2 male bereeders on loan for my pair of females. I got them 1 at a time over the last month. At the end of 2 weeks, a large male had a lot of roughed up skin where it folds under the shell when retracted. I returned him after not seeing any breeding activity, and got another smaller proven male. At the end of 2 weeks I've noticed the same roughed up skin in the same area. What is causing this? I see no agression at all and I see no breeding activity, and no I'm not blind just not seeing any of either. The first male has completely healed up in 2 weeks, I assume this one will too.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

John

If there are no sores, bit marks or redness and swelling -- just skin the turtles may be sloughing skin and nothing more. If any of the above is present then one or both of your females have no interest in mating at this time and are biting the male.

Since you don't see any of that I would assume the skin is sloughing. As far as breeding goes - the mood and environment must be right. If the females are not ready or the males are adjusting to the new environment-- it may just take time before any courting and breeding activity occurr.

It's not the loose slimy looking stuff I think of when sloughing, its more like a scrape but not red or through the skin. Thanks for the not receptive info though, I will have to re-think what the whole situation is like for them and how I need to proceed.

John