I was watching my turtles awhile ago and saw the funniest thing. One turtle was facing another while it quickly "fanned" his eyes about three times. I can't imagine that this is courtship behavior because they are very, very young. The turtle that was "fanning" its eyes is about 3 inches in length and the other is about 2.5 inches. I got them both as hatchlings this summer. Was it a courtship behavior??? Or was it territorial or something else?? I'm so curious! I've never seen them do that before!
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!
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Strange Behavior
Replies (4)
What do you mean fanning its eyes? Blinking or are you talking about vibrating its front claws? Claw vibrating is mating behaviour, but is also done for many other reasons. Just like baby deer headbutting each other, its just practice, not necessarily the real thing.
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I seen this behavior in my friends turtles. It's so hiliarious. They swim about and then stop when they see each other
and "fan their eyes". Anyway, I read and inquired somewhere, it's their version of greeting or just communicating. Other information would be cool.
Cheers 
I think the other folks posting in this thread are referring to the way the turtle fluttering it's claws has them near it's face and "fans" its eyes when it flutters its claws.
I guess fluttering would appear that look like that.
Steve
Yeah, that's what I mean using its claws and fluttering them near its eyes...sorry I guess I really wasn't that specific. The turtle puts his claws near his eyes turns them with the bottom of its feet facing outward and vibrates them pretty fast. It looks pretty funny, especially if you've never seen it before. Like me!
I kind of figured it was a mating ritual, but I was just hoping that it wasn't the "real"thing. They're just babies! Now that I know it's just "practice" I can enjoy it more! LOL
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~Heather~
3 German Shepherd Dogs (Tasha, Austin, & Kaiya)
1 Iguana (Irwin)
4 Firebelly Toads (Kirby, Gus, Pico, & Tiki)
3 Red-Eared Slider Hatchlings (Otis, Jasper, & Jade)
1 Southern Painted Hatchling (Milo)
Check out my website with most of my pets!
