Other Turtle Discussion :: Are my turtles.... courting?

[DanielRES1180]

Over the past several days I have noticed one of my turtles will get in front of the other and put his feet up to his face and swims in place (this happens underwater). It kind of looks wierd but do you guys think this is courting?

[sonyj]

How big are your turtles again? And how big is their set-up?

[DanielRES1180]

Currently those two turtles in particular out of all three are both three inches. Currently they are in a temporary 12 gallon container, I'll buy the new tank soon.

[sonyj]

Since they aren't mature yet, I don't think it would have to do with courting. It is more likely a type of aggression since they are being kept in inadequate conditions at the time. They could just be needing their own space and this is how they are showing it.

[steve]

I don't think they need to be fully mature to begin courting. My male RES has been trying his best since he was 2 years old.

[cam722]

I'd go more for the territorial issues than courting at this stage as they really don't have enough space. Mine do the "dance" often at each other and they have plenty of space and there's no signs of any other aggressive behavior ... and they are just over 2.. I'm not sure who does it more though

[marisa]

Aside from the dominance issue, I think younger turtles can just flutter at each other---kind of like practicing for the big time.

[DanielRES1180]

Well, I upgraded late last month and the turt is still doing the dance thing. But all he gets is the paw in the face from the other turtle . Do you guys think this is agression because the dance is done consistently by one turtle to the other one. The turtle doing the dance shows no agression to the 3rd turtle.

[marisa]

The turtle fluttering his/her paws could just be trying to show the other turtle who's boss.