Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a 3-4 year old male RES that has never been with another turtle. Recently we bought another RES about 1 1/2 inch. We put them together the other day and the older one seems to love his new friend, in fact he won't leave him alone. Last night however I noticed that the older turtle had his feet around the baby and they seemed to be almost vibrating...was he just being playful or is this a sign of aggression? Any advice is helpful...thanks

If your 3-4year old RES is of proper size then that is a BIG size difference. Personally i would never mix animals that drastically different in size, the results could be disastorous. If i were you i would seperate them, even if the older one doesnt appear to be aggressive.

As far as the behavior do you mean the turtles were vibrating or that the older turtles front legs were shaking?
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

The older turtle's feet were vibrating. It was kind of strange, but the turtles seem to really like each other, that's the only reason I don't want to seperate them. The older male seems a little lonely sometimes.

Vibrating feed is something the male does to court the female generally. But I suppose it could mean other things as well, maybe its just a form of communication. Is the hatchling a female or male?
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

We don't know if it is a male or female...hopefully a male. I thought you couldn't tell the gender of the turtle till aleast the first year.

That is a mating ritual, my turtles are both male and they do it to each other.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

You cannot tell the sex of slider until it around 4 inches. Then the secondary characteristic develop. (longer tail and long claws on the front feet of the male). The vibrating is courship behavior. Males will engage in this with any other turtle sex or specie of the partner are irrelevant.

If the little one is considerably smaller than the older one I would caution you about keeping an eye on situation and at the slightest hint of aggression remove it. Your male may get a little worked up with all his courting display and the little one does not submit to his advances he may get nippy. A turtle large enough to handle this would withstand having his/he neck nipped at but if the little one is that much smaller it could easily be decapitated.

that's mating behavior but i wouldnt worry
also they could use it at dominance displays

keep an eye on em