Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anybody have any experience with aggression in female RES's toward each other? I have 4 females (had a male, he was extremely aggressive toward the females---biting, etc, so I gave him away) in a 200 gallon pond.

Very recently, I noticed the oldest female has been trying to bite (trying, not succeeding much) the second oldest female, who has begun avoiding her and spending less time in the water. I think this is a dominance, or pecking order, thing.

My concern is if it gets messy with wounds, etc---I'm not concerned about their group dynamic as long as everyone is relatively happy and healthy.

If it does get worse, any suggestions?

It has gotten worse---I noticed bloody bite marks in the shell of the female that the oldest is attacking. Any ideas?

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do but separate them.
Hopefully this will stop the problem and the others will
live peacefully

Linda

NEW IDEA!

Someone suggested that I remove the aggressive female for a couple of days (she is now in a tub), leaving everyone else in place in the main pond. Then put her back in and see what happens. Sometimes this will "re-set" the territoriality behavior, and she will stop.

Anybody ever do that?