Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After 4 peacefull years, my larger RES has decided to relentlessly attack my smaller one out of nowhere. What should I do? It's constantly trying to bite the smaller one once it's in the water.

The first 2 pics are of the small one, the last of the big one. The big one is probably 1.5 - 2 inches longer.

-I

Well the smaller one looks to be a female. Is the larger one a male? The front nails looked pretty long in the pic. Is that all hes doing is just biting? Or is he also fluttering his front legs in front of her? It may be that hes just trying to breed, but could also be that they just arnt getting along anymore. If he keeps it up I would seperate them. What size tank are they in?

-Chris
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Currently in the US Navy so I have sold off my collection. But over the years I have had dozens of turtles, fish, geckos, and other lizards. Cant wait to get back in the hobby once im out though!

I was told here that they were both females, but take a look at my album and let me know what you think.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?user=36333&cat=500

Yesterday when I left for work I noticed the smaller one on the basking area, even though the lights hadnt come on yet. It was really dry. Then when I got home, it was still there. I added food to the tank and walked away. Went back down a little later (the lights were now off) and it was stiill up on the basking area. I didnt think it had eaten, so I sprinkled some more food in and placed it in the water. As soon as I did the big one attacked...snapping at the edges of the shell, and it looked like it was trying to bite it's legs. So I put one and one togther - small turtle must be staying out of the water because it's being threatened by the big one.

Funny you mention fluttering, though... The last time I posted pics and posted on here was because the big one was flutterring its legs at the smaller one, like face to face, almost doing a dance. That's when everyone here assured me I had 2 females.

Clearly, something is going on.

Sounds like the smaller RES is pretty stressed out so its staying on the basking area to avoid the other turtle. The smaller one is definately a female, but couldnt really tell from the pics you have what the sex of the other one is. If you could get a closer pic of the front legs and the vent I would be able to tell. The fluttering is a courtship thing they do. Hes basically trying to "seduce" her. How long have they been together? I would most likely seperate them. Males tend to be pretty aggressive to females when kept together. He will constantly harass her which is pretty stressful for the female.

-Chris
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Currently in the US Navy so I have sold off my collection. But over the years I have had dozens of turtles, fish, geckos, and other lizards. Cant wait to get back in the hobby once im out though!

I'll try to get a better shot of the big one tonight. They've been together for like 3 years now... very strange.

Thanks for the feedback.
-I

Are you going to seperate them or not?