General Care Discussion :: Fluttering and nipping: possibly territorial

[s276623]

I have had my cumberland turtle for about 2 1/2 years and he has gotten pretty big. We decided to get him a 55 gallon tank and he as a basking area and swimming area. Now we have gotten a red eared slider who is a lot smaller only about 4 inches. Bert, my cumberland turtle, has been fluttering and nipping at Arthur or Artye, my RES. I am pretty definite that both are males and that Bert is just upset to share his tank with someone else. What do I do? Will Bert realize that Artye isnt going anywhere and leave him alone? Help is appreciated greatly! Thanks

[corey7144]

sounds like turtle agression... Niping is not good. You should seperate them.

[mikee]

Bert realizes that another turtle has intruded his tank and he wants the other turtle out. Bert is a reptile and does not think in human terms. The larger will not leave the little one alone. You may want to get another tank or get one of them re-homed. This happens when you put a smaller turtle in with a larger turtle that already has an established environment. Good Luck!

[s276623]

so i have kept the turtles together to for a little bit longer just to see how they would react. i have kept a good eye on both of them, and both eating well. now artye the little turtle is fluttering at bert. its pretty humerous when i see it because he is much larger than artye. they seem to be getting along ok other than that. they even share the basking rock together. im still not sure whats going on. can someone help? please

[Moose]

its all territorial s276623. they might get along at some point but if I were you I would keep a closer eye on them. My safest bet would be to seperate the little guy.

[marisa]

If there's a big size difference, I'd be really careful---the smaller one could easily get hurt.