Urgent Care :: HELP!!!! VERY aggressive, biting baby slider

[wvphotogirl]

We have a baby RES (approx. 6-7 months old). It is VERY aggressive towards my whole family. We can not get it out of the tank to even clean it without it biting at us. It NEVER basks when we are in the room and swims and hides as we approach its tank. We have been bit several times and even though it isn't painful now, it is just a matter of time until it is big enough to do damage.

It is alone in the tank with 5 rosy red minnows that it ignores. The fish have been in there over 3 months. It is not aggressive towards them at all. Never even chases them!

Please help. Is there any chance of us being able to not live in fear of this aggressive little turtle?

[RESnTX]

How long have you had him? If he is still getting used to you and your family that may be the reason he is so aggressive.

[wvphotogirl]

We have had him since he was tiny (see profile pic). 5 1/2 months I'd say

[megcornell]

Some turtles just really don't appreciate human interaction and have more "wild" instincts than others.
For example, my one RES can't really stand me, while the other is more docile and I can pretty easily hold him. I just let the aloof one do her thing and accept that she's not really a touchable pet.

As for your situation, try covering the sides of the tank where the turtle basks. She may appreciate the privacy. It's perfectly normal for RES to be shy baskers and anything to help her get used to a little background noise is a step in the right direction.
For the biting, there's not really anything you can do about that. But, turtles are really pets to be looked at and not touched, so not handling your turtle really shouldn't affect your life too much. Be sure to let her see you feeding her. Once turtles associate humans with food they are always more "friendly" towards them and they'll start begging and looking forward to seeing you.
When you have to handle your turtle, just do so carefully. Be sure to support the shell on the top and bottom and just keep an eye on where your turtle's head is. My one turtle likes to bite, but she's pretty clear about her intentions and when I see her sticking her head out and opening her mouth I just make sure my hand isn't near her . Turtle bites are pretty painful so I can understand why you're frustrated.

[wvphotogirl]

I will try covering the basking area sides like you suggested. Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

My turtle behaved exactly like yours for a couple of years. He finally learned to trust me (actually, it was after I found this forum and learned how to treat him that he started relaxing). Now (he's seven years old) he's almost like a dog - swims up to me, lets me pick him up off the basking platform, follows me around on the ground when we're outside. A key is to get them to associate you with feeding. Food is very important to a turtle.

I do, however, take great care not to let my fingers or hand get near his biting parts. Friendly or not, he's still a turtle.

[wvphotogirl]

I do EVERYTHING that is recommended on this site. He has a big tank, great lighting, nice basking spot..EVERYTHING. I don't handle him except when cleaning his tank. I will try hand feeding and see if it works. Also, he is in a back part of the house in a sunroom where we rarely go. I might move him into a more busy part of the house so he sees us more. THANKS!

[ScrewZoo]

Turtles bite ppl.. Something you gotta deal with.. Its not that he hates you.. Just your food. But you can get around him just grab him by the shell n dnt let him near you.. Mine bite me too n ive had them for like 2 years..

[PcBuilder14]

If you take him out of the tank every once in a while and pick him up often he should understand that you won't hurt him.

When I first got mine he would freak out when I picked him up now he will stick all his limbs except for his head in his body until I set him down.

[untsmurf]

I've had my turtle for three years and most of the time he allows me to be around him and hold him. There are times when he still doesn't want me to hold him and at those times, I leave him be unless I have to hold him. He associates me with food and that's why, I think, he allows me to be around him.