General Care Discussion :: biting at front feet

[bradmeisel]

My female seems to bite at her front feet when she is patroling the botton of the tank mostly.
She also seems to do this mostly later in the day.
Is this something to worry about?

[BullDog]

It could be that she's shedding. Sometimes the shedding skin can be itchy.

What does your tank have in it? I've heard that RES with little mental stimulation will bite their legs out of boredom. Although, if she's in the tank with your male, then that shouldn't be a problem.

Just keep an eye on it, and make sure she isn't doing any damage to herself. Keep an eye out for red or raw spots on her legs.

[bradmeisel]

Both things you mention could be on point. I recently separated my male and female as well as put them in a much bigger tank.

She is also shedding.

I just switched sides they are kept in in the tank because each side is different and I thought maybe she would be stimulated.

She has always been the social one and I wondered if she would be bothered by the separation. Other than that both turtles seem to enjoy all the space and solitude.
She doesn't swim around like a special needs turtle anymore. She used to keep her back legs tucked in when she swam for fear that the male would bite one. She seems much more relaxed now.

[BullDog]

Do you have some river rocks in the tank? Most RES like to push around rocks, and re-arrange their surroundings

[bradmeisel]

No actually it might be one of the most boring tanks ever. I took most of the stuff off the floor to keep it cleaner but I have a bunch of rocks (golf ball size) I'm going to put in the tank right now.

Thanks for the idea