General Care Discussion :: RES Sleeping mating

[djneon]

Ok these turtles are in a massive tank 3ft, 15inch wide and 8 inch of water, the tanks 18inch deep but I need to keep an eye on water bill (I got the new tank mentoned this week to see if they stoped the constant face scratching which seems to have happened every day for the last few weeks)

Today I was quite shocked when i see one sleeping on the floor. the other turle was onits back. this turtle seemed to be poking about the anus and tail area of the sleeping turtle with its tail.

This is the first time i have seen it, they might do it while im not looking aswell.

will this make the other pregent if its female. and will and male do this to another male


Backround
I have two RES (possibly GAY, I realy dont know), I have been supsisous recently that they could be of diffrent sex. The turtles were recsued so a know littel about the age wise, I presume a 1 year. since i have had them they have more than likey doubled in size

The largest is 4 1/2 inch shell (if we include the tail and head its larger however it keeps shying into its shell when i try to mesure it)

[TheComputerGremlin]

So, if one is 4.5 inches, it's getting close to reproductive age. My best suggestion is take pictures of both of them, focusing on the front claws and the tails. If you can get them near a ruler, that'd be even better. Post them on here and people will help you figure out their gender. If one is male and the other is female, yes, the female could get pregnant, so definitely find out genders. As for male-male relations, it's probably possible, just as it is in other species, but harmless. Post pictures!!

[djneon]

I will get more photos tonight hopefully. the camra started to dye and the big one was trying to bite. Just have to wait untill I got a bit of chrage in the cam and try again

[SpotsMama]

Double check the size of your tank. If your turtles are 4" or 5" long apiece, they should be in at least a 100 gallon tank. The down side of having a tank that's too small is that the turtles won't be happy (they normally live in lakes and big ponds and are very active swimmers), it will be next to impossible to keep the water clean even with a very good filter and, if there are two of them in the tank, they are more likely to fight if they are crowded together (male/female combinations do fight as well as do other things).

Here's a handy tank size calculator:

http://www.redearslider.com/calculator.html

[djneon]

thats the tank. its quite large, next week I am moving house and will set this up properly.

I know we have no basking area at the moment, We have just ordered a floating dock due to arrive on tueday

You might also spot two neon-negro fish, I have noticed now the tanks larger they cant get the fish that I uslay feed them for exercise, I also have 4 pregent guppys in another tank that will be feed to the turtles after they give birth but im not sure the turtles will be abile to catch them.

[djneon]

Also I am a finnal year Uni student, I hope tank size dose not offend anyone.

I promise soon as I get my electonics degree I will buy a huge centerpeace tank for my frount room but I realy dont have the money now. I did not buy these turtles, I saved them from almost certan death.

We payed about 100 for the tank and 30 for the pump this week and thats all my lone could cope with

[DocShay]

Tank size looks fine IMO, but I'd definitely give them more water in there, i'd fill it about 4-5 inches from the top. Gives them more swimming room, especially since they have no basking area.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I think the tank size will be fine until you can get the funds for a larger one. Besides, if you discover you have a male and a female, you might want two tanks anyhow. Once you have gotten your degree and moved to a new location, you can also check places like Craigslist or local papers for tanks. Definitely find some time to go price items, though, like a really nice filter (esp if they are to remain together), lighting, basking areas, heaters.

[mikee]

dj -- I am sure you will get a lot of suggestions and I have a few. The glass themometer will get broken by one of the turtles. Also I think you may need a larger filter/pump. I suggest that you have a pump that will pump at least 5 times the water volume that is in the tank. When you get your basking area you will need a uvb light as well as a heat source. Keep the water at 78 degrees and the basking area at 90 or 91 degrees. Good Luck - There is a lot of very good help here. Just ask!!