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I have two RES. about 2-3 inches.
Lately they have been displaying some strange behavior.
They extended their front paws in front of their face and face each other. They get real close to each other, almost head to head. Then they flap their paws at each other. Its almost like they are slapping each other's paws.
They also push each other around and sometimes push each other off of the basking area. I am worried that they are not getting along. Any ideas? So far they haven't bitten each other.
Its it the "fluttering" that people have been talking about. Does that mean both are males. Too young for me to tell easily.
The paw-fluttering is the beginning of the mating dance. I`ve been told that they will flutter at anything--rocks, you name it. I have one RES and he recently started doing it too, but so far he will only do it to my index or pinkie fingers on my right hand when I touch the side of his tank.
About the pushing off the basking area--is it big enough for both of them to comfortably bask at the same time? I know they`re territorial and can get aggressive if they don`t have a large enough tank. I don`t know how big they are or what size tank they`re living in now, but if they get really aggressive you might have to upgrade your tank or separate them.
Just read your initial post. If they are 3 inches, you should be able to tell they`re males if their tails are getting big and broad with the anal vent closer to the tip than the shell. (This was the first male characteristic I noticed about mine--he`s 8-9 months old. Soon after his front nails started to grow and get spikey looking, then the fluttering quickly followed.)
thanks for the reply. The basking area should be big enough for them. I think its at least wide enough to have 3 of them side by side if not more. The bigger turtle likes to lay on top of the smaller one. The smaller one seems to get annoyed and try to shove the big guy off him and sometimes off the basking area. Or the small one will jump off and come back on a different spot. The big one keeps on trying to lay on top of the little guy.
I am planning to upgrade my 10 gal to something bigger soon. A 20 Long or a 55 gal.
turtles do that they stack on each just a habit i guess lol so i wouldnt worry till they claw and bite each other
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