General Care Discussion :: RES bit me for the first time!!

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Today when i got back my turtle from the vet when i was fixing up his tank to put him back in he bit me! I don't know if he did cause him going through all he did at the vet and being handled by a few people. I know it's normal for a RES to bite you but i was wondering why he did cause he never tried to before when i put my finger in front of his face. I also had him with 5 other people around when he bit me i think he was kinda nervous.
So anyone know why he bit me?
He's also a bit more scared of me now he slides off of his basking dock when i walk in sometimes.

[blackforces get you]

he probably was put through alot and thought he was in danger. he probably was still shaken up from the vet and the ride home. let him rest for a while and that will change.

give him some time to adjust! he just got from the vet! he should be okay!

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Okay! thanks
I was also wondering when they bite you do you discipline them? As in you do with a dog/cat? or do you just let them do it?
It didn't hurt did not make me bleed just a little break in the skin it just surprised me cause he never opened his mouth like he was going to bite me before.

[Spike 7.62]

Discipline will never work on a reptile, their brains are very different from our furry friends. Trying to discipline a turtle would just be abuse. He bit you because turtles bite things and he suddenly slides off his basking dock because he's a "slider", and there really isn't much more to it than that.

-Spike

[TurtleKeeper48]

What's more impressive to me is that he doesn't usually bite you, and doesn't usually slide of the basking dock the moment you walk in. That tells me that your turtle is very happy and well adjusted. I think your turtle is just a bit stressed from the trip to the vet, and it sounds like it's the first time you've seen your turtle stressed. You must do a great job. I'm sure the turtle will relax within a couple of days and return to his normal behavior paterns.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yeah i think he's kinda back to normal he lets me get close up to him and he does not slide off when i walk into my room anymore.