General Care Discussion :: Biting itself?

[larqw]

I haven't been here in a while...for those who remember about Taffy who fell - she is doing great. It's as if nothing happened! ANYWAY, Toutolina, male, is always playing silly games with the rock - fanning, I suppose. Well, I was cleaning his tank and when I lifted him up, noticed a bruise on his arm, as if he were bitten. He lives by himself...i just noticed that he is biting himself, obviously to the point that he has hurt himself; but he keeps going at it, especially when he is playing. Should I be concerned?

[Outlander]

My little guy does this too, biting one of his front limbs while swimming. I haven't noticed any actual damage though.

[Lilsaint]

give it some toys. It will probably distract them from their self mutilating behaviour

[SINI5T3R]

I think that it is seeing its own reflection and bites themself by mistake thinking that they are getting the reflection.

[Outlander]

I don't think its reflection related because most of the time when I see him doing it is just when he's casually swimming, not when he's close to the glass. I notice it more about an hour after feeding when he's scrounging around the tank for extra food bits so I figure he might be confusing it with a snack....

And he has lots of toys and fish to chase!

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Well i would say the bruise was not self inflicted. Do you have a heater in the tank? He might of burned himself on it or something something and biting it is like him scratching it. Probably cause its itchy like a scab on a human. Ive seen my turtle bite dead skin off there arms when there shedding some skin cause it must bother them. If biting hurt himself he would stop.

[larqw]

Thank you all for responding...
He starts biting usually when during his play time with the rock in the tank...Maybe he scratched himself on the cliff in his tank...I don't know.

Thanks though

[bigG]

I have seen my RES "scratch" herself with the back of her paws because her claws are very long and sharp. She has done this while she is basking and occasionally underwater. She has also bit herself and I believe she does all of this because of an itch or some mild irritation. I wouldn't worry too much unless you see a cut or infection.