Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had a pair of hatchling diamondback terrapins together since they were hatched. As tiny little terrapins the smaller one would always snap at the bigger one to get the prime place in the sunning position.

Now they are a year old and the larger one has gotten decidedly aggressive to the smaller one, even chomping a piece of its foot out and now requiring me to medicate the sore on the smaller ones foot. They are still only about 3.5 inches.

Is aggression common? Should these be separated? Will a larger tank dampen the violence?

Thanks.

I'd separate them. It is common fo a larger animal to become aggressive twards a smaller one. A larger tank wouldn't solve the problem completely, and you would still run the risk of the smaller one being badly injured. I've got a female diamondback that has to be kept by herself because of this problem. Even if a turtle is the same size, or larger than her, she will go after them and nip at their feet. Best of luck. ~Christy

I have had this problem before with my breeders. It seems to be an issue if the enclosure is too small they become nippy and aggressive. Diamondbacks in nature are not social creatures and often do not spend much time near other terrapins like basking painteds and sliders would. If stressed, they will also chomp on each other.

Mark

Odd. my DBTs tend to congregate together in the water and
bask in groups. the younger ones do have agression issues from time to time, i've never seen it in my adults though.
out of 10 or so of them, i do have one almost-adult female that is just a mean antisocial turtle...the rest are completely laid back animals.