General Care Discussion :: strange juvenile turtle behavior

[marisa]

theartbook35 wrote:

"Some see it as a very normal, wild behavior, and let them work out their issues on their own terms."

The desire to dominate is present in varying degrees in most creatures, and many have a pecking order. In the wild, however, the least dominant would have the option of walking/swimming away/hiding and avoiding conflict all together. This is simply not possible in a captive environment, and the smaller it is, the worse it is for the more timid one. I don't see how this is a "method," that keepers would choose to let a turtle/s live in such an environment knowing that turtle is going to be beaten up on or at the very least, stressed to the point that health will be compromised.

theartbook35 wrote:
"Regardless of what method you pick of those two, I have noticed that those people who use those methods watch their turtles very closely and respectfully."

So what you're saying is that it's OK for bullying/aggression to occur as long as someone "very closely and respectfully" watches a turtle being bullied? To me, this is cruel. At what point would you do something about it? Or, would you let them "work it out," which would most likely result in one of them getting hurt or worse?

[gwennie]

Some people have different methods of taking care of their turtles. Some don't like the idea of them showing dominance, so they separate. Some see it as a very normal, wild behavior, and let them work out their issues on their own terms.

Saying this is really a moot point, since the turtles we're discussing aren't actually in the wild, so when they show this "wild behavior" as you call it, they can't actually get away from their tank mates like they could in the wild. Their issues wouldn't be happening in the wild, and only happen because people insist on keeping more than one in a tank, and then this behavior is reinforced when folks who don't know or believe any better say it's ok and normal.

In the wild, the only reason turtles are seen together in basking areas is for safety in numbers. No other reason than that.

Turtles are very solitary creatures, only coming together for the most part to bask so that they're not the lone turtle out of the water if predators are around, and also for mating purposes. Other than that, turtles will not seek out any other turtle.