Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 RES hatchlings that are both 2" in lengh. As they're young I don't know their sex yet. They seem to get along pretty well---bask together, sleep together and hang around the same rock (even though there are multiple places to hang out). But sometimes they would stare at each other rather intensely, one extending its neck slowly and the other retrieving it. Or both extending their necks until their noses touch. When they did that most recently, one turtle opened its mouth as if to threaten the other turtle, then they both swam away. I get very tense when I see them behaving this way. Does anyone know what they're doing? Thanks!

I have one RES and 2 maps in together, and I see that happen often. Sometimes, one will even open its mouth and kinda snap at the other one, but I don't really think it's any sort of aggression. This behavior has never resulted in any injuries. It's almost as if it's some sort of courting thing, and not meant to threaten or harm the other turtle.

Thanks for the info. That made me feel a bit better about their interaction with each other.