General Care Discussion :: Turtle Aggression?

[heatherlp07]

I have to 1 year old RES. They are both relatively calm critters and are mild mannered toward each other. However when handling my turtles, one of my turtles is very aggressive and tries to bite when he is picked up. He hisses all the time and bites at anything that gets in front of his face. My other turtle however, is very calm and loving. He likes to get his head rubbed and enjoys getting his shell rubbed. I don't know why my other turtle is so mean. Any insight would be great. Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

This is very common. Turtles can be very aggressive and fierce. They can do a lot of damage to one another in a very short time. We've had several instances on here recently where one turtle has killed another. It's especially bad when one turtle is bigger than the other.

The only remedy is to separate them. Once they start with the aggression, they won't stop. That means separate habitats or else, if your tank is very large, you can use a divider to keep them separate.

[heatherlp07]

The turtles aren't aggressive towards each other. They have never shown any type of aggression towards one another. The problem is that my turtle is very aggressive when he is out of the water. He tries to nip at fingers and any other things that cross in front of him. It would not really be a problem with me, but I have lots of little cousins that often want to hold the turtles and I can't let them because I'm scared they will get bit. Is there anything that I can do to help reduce the amount of aggression my turtle exhibits?

[TheComputerGremlin]

DO NOT LET YOUR LITTLE COUSINS HOLD YOUR TURTLES.

Simple as that. No, there is no way to reduce your turtle's natural response to a predator (humans). However, there are many times we've seen on this board where younger family members have held someone's turtle and either dropped the turtle (potentially breaking its shell) or gotten ill afterwards from not washing their hands properly.

Turtles are a look but not touch pet. It's best to educate your cousins now, even if it will disappoint them.

[heatherlp07]

Thanks! I just hate that the lil guy is so mean. I have to be extremely careful to keep my fingers out of reach when I am taking him out of the water because I'm terrified that I'm going to get bit. My other turtle is so calm and mellow. I wish they could both be like that!

Oh, does a turtle bite hurt?!?! LOL! JK!

[SpotsMama]

On having different personalities, that's just the normal range of turtle behavior. Thye have their individual traits, preferences and behaviors. Probably the one will always be more aggressive than the other.

For a number of years, I took my turtle out of the tank every day - just for a few minutes - to check his shell and skin. When he was grown, I took him outside to explore and enjoy the sun whenever I could. I think he was by nature one of the more aggressive ones - when he was young he was pretty snappy - but I think the frequent handling gentled him some. But it took a long time for him to get used to it.

I don't think the little cousins should be handling the turtle. For children, turtles are look not touch pets. If they are bitten, there's a chance they'll drop or even throw the turtle. It's also important that anyone that handles a turtle wash their hands thoroughly and that's not something that little children usually think of on their own.

On turtles being aggressive with one another, I'm relieved to hear that's not happening....yet. But please be on guard. It's very common for them to start fighting as they grow up. Most people with more than one turtle wind up with multiple separate habitats.

[heatherlp07]

Thank you so much for the help!

[imderanged]

My turtles a mean little bugger too. The best remedy for this I have found is to simply keep my fingers out of his mouth!!lol
Seriously though, I think you just have to find a way to be at peace with your turtle just being a turtle. I look at my turtle as being "spunky". I like that he/she has his own little personality and attitude. Sylar/Pickle is fierce!!!

[za94]

I agree, you really shouldn't let children hold turtles, not only because of nipping, but some turtles risk carrying salmonella and as kids may try to kiss turtles or if they don't wash there hands properly after handling they can catch it. I have two male turtles, the oldest Honey (yes its a sad name) is 3.5 inches now and the youngest, Hulk is 1.5, i think with handling them at so young they are not naturally aggressive toward me, the oldest fidgets a lot if i hold him and Hulk being so small is very shy but i do find that they get along with each other like brothers for instance Hulk tends to be very attached to Honey, who is also very protective over Hulk when i got to touch him. I think it's all to do with handling them a lot and getting them used to you and each other. Sometimes there is a case were they are hungry, they nip at my fingers but i think thats a mistake for food and they dont do it again. All turtles are different and it's up to you to understand their characteristics a find ways to deal with them. If it is a case of hate then it's best to separate them but make sure you understand the case fully before making drastic measures.

[methos75]

You think your little guys are nippy, I own a Alligator Snapper, not pick up and touch pet at all.

[turtle man]

i'm just bringing this up because this is EXACTLY how my turtles are, one of them fidgets, opens up his a little then bites anything that goes

in front of his face, the other one goes in its shell when picked up, and they are at perfect harmony with each other, as a matter of fact my

aggressive turtle will bite ANYTHING in front of it EXCEPT the other turtle, they dont do what they used to in the first few months but they

still do it, the trick is a)time, over time they'll get used to you b) dont hold them very much, or for extended periods of time, your turtle

may like you alot, but they dont like to be held, especially if its a hyper turtle (adhd!?) does your agressive go really fast (not as fast as a

turtle!, pun intended) when you put it on the floor?
its so ausumn that my turts are normal!

[industrial_girl_2000]

DO NOT LET YOUR LITTLE COUSINS HOLD YOUR TURTLES.

Simple as that. No, there is no way to reduce your turtle's natural response to a predator (humans). However, there are many times we've seen on this board where younger family members have held someone's turtle and either dropped the turtle (potentially breaking its shell) or gotten ill afterwards from not washing their hands properly.

Turtles are a look but not touch pet. It's best to educate your cousins now, even if it will disappoint them.

Really good advice!

Turtles all have different personalities, and if there is one that is already hissing/biting, there isn't much chance he is going to change soon. Hand-feeding (holding the food up to his face with your fingers) is one way to help him understand that the human is not a threat and he may soften a bit, but picking him up is another story entirely and he may revert back to hissing/biting. It's just normal for them.