General Care Discussion :: Not sure if this is violent behavior or what...

[Erroneous]

My older turtle, Buddy, who actually might be a female, is 4.25''. Today I saw him/her hovering over my other turtle, Spike, who the vet confirmed is a male and is 3.5''. Buddy weighs about 200g, while Spike weighs about 100g. When I say hovering, I mean Buddy will position himself so that it is like he is stacked on top of Spike. Then he will put his head right on top of Spike's head, and put his claws to either side of Spike's head, right next to the eyes. I don't think Buddy actually scratches Spike, or bites at him, but Spike doesn't like it a bit, though he doesn't go into his shell like he normally does when scared. If this keeps up, I might separate them.

[industrial_girl_2000]

It sounds like the bigger turtle is starting to get territorial. Keep an eye on them. If there is any biting going on, you will have to separate them.

[Erroneous]

I don't see any biting and I just now noticed that Buddy's tail curve's under while he is doing it (sometimes flush against the plastron). I'll post some pictures on another thread to see if you guys can sex Buddy. I'll also put up a couple of him when he is doing this. I will say this though, Buddy's tail is much thicker than Spike's. Also, at first the vet was saying Spike was a female but then changed his mind after we told him how old Spike was. I don't think it says much against the herp. vet since Spike is a somewhat uncommon species.

[Erroneous]

Sorry I just measured their SCL (I was adding their heads into my estimates earlier) and Buddy is 4 1/4 inches, while Spike is 3 1/2. Also, when buddy has his claws next to Spike, he will shake them for a second, but doesn't scratch Spike. I'm beginning to think more and more that Buddy is trying to copulate.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sorry I just measured their SCL (I was adding their heads into my estimates earlier) and Buddy is 4 1/4 inches, while Spike is 3 1/2. Also, when buddy has his claws next to Spike, he will shake them for a second, but doesn't scratch Spike. I'm beginning to think more and more that Buddy is trying to copulate.

Keep us posted! Spike is actually too small to engage in any reproductive behaviors just yet.

[Erroneous]

Keep us posted! Spike is actually too small to engage in any reproductive behaviors just yet.

I will. Actually, Spike may be large enough. According to ATP, the Ouachita Map gets to 3.5-5'' for males, though females get anywhere from 5'' to 10.75''. I kinda want Buddy to leave Spike alone because Spike just got over a blood infection a couple weeks ago (which is why Spike got to go to the vet).

It would be interesting though if anything did happen later on though. They are different Genuses (Geni?) so I doubt anything would ever be produced if Spike turns out to be a female.

[marisa]

Erroneous, when you see your turtle doing that, keep an eye out for him biting the other turtle on the neck.

[Erroneous]

Erroneous, when you see your turtle doing that, keep an eye out for him biting the other turtle on the neck.

I was watching carefully and Buddy didn't seem to bite. I was passively watching them for a good 6 hours yesterday and Buddy only did it for about a half hour or so. My fiance has seen him do it before, but rarely. Also, when I feed them I usually look them over and haven't found any injuries.