Hi all!

Just wondering if this claw flattering/mating courtship behavior is safe?! One initiates it and the other looks scared, hides in its shell and closes its eyes. I worry that the claws from the turtle fluttering them will cause some sort of damage to the eyelids? These guys are about 12 years old. One is the size of a large mango halve and the other is a little smaller than a ping pong paddle (no handle). They live in a 50 gallon tank and were best friends when they were hatchlings...and now I notice the little one has begun to provoke the big one by fluttering its claws. Can someone tell me more about this behavior? I also noticed what looked to be a wound on the bigger turtles throat area..I've since cleaned it with a q-tip and betadine solution...I suppose the only thing to do is to quarantine one of them...this is frustrating! Would love to hear suggestions and experiences! Thanks!!

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