General Care Discussion :: Fighting turtles :(

[pauperez]

I have a big issue in my hands.
Rescently I noticed that one of my two turtles (the smaller one) had some really bad bruises in his back legs, the part that inflates when they breathe (I'm not really sure how to explain it). I took it to the speciallized vet and pretty much he's been for about a month on skin treatment and healed perfectly. Yesterday I finally released her with the other turtle (They had been seperated during the whole treatment) and today I actually SAW the big turtle bite the little one where the bruises had been!!!!
I was in shock... there was drop of blood:(
I washed and cleaned and applied the medication I already have to avoid infection. The bite is supperficial so I'm leaving her outside of the water for the night and seperate them again until this new injury heals.

But now I'm wondering if I'll have to get rid of one turtle? Will the big one always harass thew little one? (They're only about an inch different in size)
They have a big tank, and maybe if I move them to a REALLY big one the fighting will stop but I'm afraid to expose the little one again.
I'm really sad because I really love both my turtles and the idea of having to choose one to keep and one to give away is sad, but if that's the only option I'll start looking for someone who will REALLY take care of the one that goes:(

Has anyone had this problem before or has some advice on what to do?

[BullDog]

I'm afraid that once aggression has started, it'll never stop. To prevent any more injury, you should separate them permanently.

There are a few options. If you have a big enough tank, you can divide it down the middle with egg crate. You'll still need two separate basking areas.
You can have two separate setups (two tanks), and one turtle in each.
Or, as you mentioned, if the above options aren't going to work, you can find a new home for one of them. I know this is the hardest option of all

[Maltliquor45]

same thing happened to me just this past 3 months.

i had two RES that basically grew up together - but the smaller one kept doing the "mating dance" and the big one got annoyed and bit the small one right on the neck. some skin was hanging loose - it has healed now. i have separated them now.

one is in a real tank the other in a rubber maid like storage container.

i tried putting them back together a 2 occasions but the big one is like a stalker. once he has set his sights on her - the focus is so much that you know he doesn't mean well. I saw him take a lunge at her and i know that they can never be in the same enclosure.

i also didnt' want to give either one away so now i have two separate set ups or like BullDog says - divide the tank with each their own basking area.

m

[Sheldon_turtle]

My turtles did the exact same thing but my decision was to let lightning go because i cant afford a new setup. I hope there is some smoother sailing ahead my friend.

[theartbook35]

My mother's ex-boyfriend made the mistake of getting us two turtles.

Luckily, they have always lived together at the same time, in the same environment, with the same food and the same set up and have seemed to get along okay, even though there is a slight size difference. I think age and personality are big factors. They are also both females.

If you are careful you can have two turtles live together, but it's a rarity. Having a larger, older and more life experienced turtle with a smaller, younger, less life experienced turtle just doesn't work often. (I've heard of it working one time, because the turtle owner was a socialization guru).

To avoid having two setups, I am going to keep them together as long as I possibly can. So far, it's working good. Typhoon is the bigger one, but Hurricane is starting to mature more, and she's more willing to stand up for herself, so Typhoon has backed off a little but still managed to stay tank ruler.

Part of why Typhoon acts this way is because it only happens when I raise the water level. She's the weird like that. The most graceful swimmer, she seriously swims like a 15 year old turtle, even though she's a year old. But man, put her in deeper water and it's like I've committed a sin. Hurricane can't really swim very good, she's so clumsy, but if I filled that tank to the top she'd think I am God.

[mikee]

pau-rez - You will have to seperate them. It will not stop. You will need to rehome it or get another tank. I have three in one tank for the past 5 years and I am waiting for the bigger male res to chomp down on one of the smaller female painted sliders. When it happens I will have to take some the above actions. m.

[bigG]

I have two RES (one larger female and one smaller male). The female was always the more dominant turtle even when she was younger with her siblings. However, she treats the younger male as a mother treats her child by scolding him or just pushing him away when he bothers her. The male is maturing and things may change. They often swim together, take turns on the basking float, and often follow each other around on the patio when I take them outside.