Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I have two captive bred ornate wood turtles each w/ carapaces about 6 inches long. I've had them since they were approx. 6-8 wks old (about 1.5 years now). They recently have been "displaying" what looks like a big purple flower when in the water. They don't appear in distress, eat lettuce, carrot, strawberries every day. Right now they get egg whites,grouund lean chicken, turkey, beef every other day or so. The "flower" is easily retracted upon my approach, but looks all the world like an organ designed for absorbtion rather than secretion...I took one to the vet when it first happened, she (the vet0 was unable to sex the turtle, but recommended a diet w/ more leaves, carrot, and a vitamin e (basically) oil. Then the other turtle did it and my freind the turtle expert suggested the flower may actually be a penis. The turtles don't "display" when the other is around. I'm worried and don't have accessto a vet specializing in exotics...HELP

it's a penis