Other Turtle Discussion :: odd behavior

[mantis]

my black knob map turtle who is a female was digging in the sand at the bottom of the tank. and every time my male res would go near her she would get in his face and bob her head til he moved away. can someone tell me what she is doing and why

[johnrisky]

I don't have a map turtle, but I think it might be... she is trying to put a spell on the RES? LOL just kidding. my RES do that sometime, it's a sign of they are in heat. not sure why she is digging though, eggs maybe?

[mantis]

i dont think she has eggs. she is just shy of 4 and a half inches

[steve]

Since most of their care sheets recommend substrate, it's possible she likes to forage or take shelter. How big is the male?

[mantis]

flash my res is 5 1\2 inchs

[steve]

He is mature now, so he could be very interested/frustrated. What about the other RES?

[mantis]

well he is the only res in that tank. he didnt like the other res that i have so they are in there own tank. the two musk are in there but he just ignors them

[steve]

Are they males too?

[mantis]

one is. the other not sure yet still to small. but thery are in a tank across the room

[steve]

It's possibly he's just pestering her because she's a female. Either way, male RES usually need to be separated.

[justatwinturbo]

what the black knobbed is doing, is their version of 'fanning' just like res will tickle each others face with their claws, black knobbed sawbacks bob their heads.