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Hello everyone,

I have successfully kept red eared sliders, cumberlands and razorbacked musks for a long time. As you can guess they are very friendly turtles. I recently acquired a spiny softshell which is nothing like that He stretches out his neck while being handled and bites me like crazy. Since he is a hatchling his bites does not do any harm right now.

I don't like handling my turtles myself anyway because it is only stressful to them, but when I have to do cleaning, relocation or measuring I have to handle them.

Since I know softshells can get quite large I was wondering if there is any possible way for me to at least get him to feel comfortable for short periods of time while being handled? I don't want those tiny little bites to become deep wounding ones when he grows up

Thanks!

From what we've seen, personalities will not always be predictable. Handling might help over time, but theres no certainty of what will happen.

Thanks for the response!

Today I have tried handling him again in hopes of getting him used to it. He successfully took the chance of biting my thumb again. I have figured out though when I hold him by his hind legs and don't make any sudden moves he gives up after a while. Still I am totally afraid of him biting me when he gets older Anyway, as you said it is a personality issue and I have to wait for a turtle trainer version of Cesar Millan to come up and save me

One of my diamondbacks bites so I can relate!

My spiney softie bites too. He is almost 1 yr old. I've had him since Dec. Biting is in their natural. They are far more aggressive then musks, and sliders. Get a heavy duty set of gloves;)

Ha ha that's funny. Gloves. I just spank mine! I'm not scared of my turtles. They know who is boss. I'm not giving away my teaching methods. Unless you really need help then send me a PM.

Didn't want to edit last post. They need to know where the food is comming from. How are you feeding? Some turtles are worse at biting than others. My Diamondbacks actually scare me. They have strong mouths. My map is a sweet baby that would more than likely never bite. My res is also really nice.And gentle.

Idk about feeding and handling making a difference with softies. I haven't heard of anyone having one that doesn't bite. I have been looking into and researching them for a few years now. I wanted to know what I was getting when I chose to acquire one from a breeder. I do have to say I didn't get my softie to hold and pet lol. He reminds me of my Mangrove Monitor. Very good for looking at but not so much for handling.

Yea I hear ya. I like touching my kids.