Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok everyone!!!! I just got my newest baby!!! The latest addition is an ADORABLE baby albino RES!!! He is temp sexed to be a little boy. Thanks, Andrew!!! He arrived today in perfect condition! But there was only one problem...my little male cooter has trouble adapting to his new little brother. He just looked at him funny, and when the lil' guy took off swimming he followed him and started nipping at his teensy tail!!! = o
The new guy hardly noticed because he was enjoying strecthing his legs out after spending the night in a box! My stinkpot just kinda checked him out but then lost interest in him. So, I separated my rivals and now I'm wondering what to do??? I bought them to be friends...there isn't much size difference. HELP!!!!!!!!

J.L.

Unfortunately, cooters and sliders are much more aggressive than most people suspect. One of the very top turtle collectors in the world refuses to include them in his huge collection for just this reason. The cooter will continue to nip at the albino (the white coloration mkes it more attractive as "food") and you should keep it separated. The musk may also become a threat later.

Ok, this is what I did. I kept them in separate aquariums for the first night. Then, for a while during the second day, I switched them. The baby albino RES went into the cooters tank for a while and vice versa. Then I put them back in their original cages after a while. That seemes to help them get used to each others scents, I think. Then, even later, I put tham ALL in the big tank together a watched the results. First, the musk and mud would swim fast up to the little guy and at first I thought they were going to bite him. But they just swam up to him, without even opening their mouths, and then would just turn around and swim away. Surprisingly, the cooter did the same. I thought he would bite him, but he didn't. He didn't seem like he wanted to give him a big hug, but in his own little turtley way he indicated that "Well, if this if how things are gonna be from now on, than fine." He din't totally except him, but didn't try to kill him either. Which is the first step towards a successful turtle relationship! =)

J.L.