General Care Discussion :: Affection? Aggression? Confusion? I-I-I-I-Insane?

[EmperorTunaFish]

Howdy folks.

I have a 3 inch (measured according to page) RES. She's always been a real card... bold, hates hiding but loves drifting around on stuff. If someone sticks their hand in the water, she'll swim up and kind of sit in it, then take off.

I often hand-feed her, as she'll take anything (even veggies) from a hand. However, she seems intent on nibbling on my thumb and middle finger (the fingers I use for food). Whenever I stick my hand in the tank she'll come over and do the turtle chill session, but sometimes she will spot my thumb and give it a chomp... doesn't hurt, mind you, but it's startling. I ignored the behaviour for about a week, but today she clamped on to my middle finger and pulled her body out of the water, then let go. She then dragged some red lettuce to a watery grave. It was really bizzare... does she hate my guts for some reason? Thought I had food maybe?

[Safdar]

She doesnt hate you, its turtle instinct to bite soemtihng that looks good to them.
It had happend to me too
I once put my hand in the water and left it there, still, he started btiting, maybe trying to get me too move, or thinking my hand is food now. You never know whats going on in a turtle.

Maybe try qucikly feeding and moving your hand out of the water after shes done.
Dont be still in it, keep moving your fingers.
Biting fingers is a bad habit and most of the time its very hard to overcome

[N4784N R4613]

No she/he doesn't hate you. She/he just associates your finger, and thump with food!! And when there is no food there, she/he will still try to "eat." Do you understand? Or am I sounding like a moron?

[grey goose]

Beaker is like that too. She'll go after my fingers whether there is food or not!

[Bumby's Mom]

Nyx will too, but only in the water.

[EmperorTunaFish]

That makes sense, lol. I am relieved that she isn't trying to give me a back suplex... I will try the quick movements, or making my fingers taste gross.

[Tenodera]

Yea if your turtle bites and it doesn't hurt, you could try letting him bite it to let him realize that it's not edible.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Turtles will try to eat anything that wanders into their view.

[Pluckt007]

nameless seems to attack everything on my hand now, my ring, my braclet, and my thumb! he even seems more willing to bite more things now that i lowered his food intake by about half. i just came to the conclusion that he is angry and hungry. just move ur fingertip around inside the top of the water and play a good game of cat and mouse, or turtle and goldfish...