Other Turtle Discussion :: What is my turtle Sid doing!?!

[peep0370]

He singles out a rock, one in particular. No matter where I put it he finds it. Clears out all rocks around it, pushes his head into it. Than begins to back paddle at it with the back of his front feet. When doing so its as if his feet are shaking at it. He does this all of the time, until he sees me watching him, when he stops and stairs at me. Please someone explain... I have had him for 7 years and never seen it befor a few weeks ago.

[Jeremiah]

It sounds like he's fluttering. It's a dominance display, often a precursor to mating. Perfectly normal. He must think that rock is another (probably female) turtle, or at least some kind of animal that's threatening his dominance.

[peep0370]

Thank you, I read about that this morning. He digs the rock out from all others. Even when it's barried pretty deep and pushes all other away from it. It's quite funny.

[peep0370]

And yes, he thinks it is a female turtle after what I just saw for the first time in my life come out of a turtle.

[steve]

Clearly it's his favorite rock