General Care Discussion :: Odd beahvior?

[1tdawg]

Ever since i moved fred to his new tank he has been acting strange. He has been tipping over the decorations (logs,hollowsetc.) and he seems to be trying to break the glass. HE seems to back up to the opposite end of the tank and then swim full speed at the glass om the other side. Are these behaviors normal for a 4 month old 2 inch RES?

[theartbook35]

Fred most likely thinks that the reflection in the tank wall is another turtle. If you put one of those backdrops over the tank wall, the little one will probably stop it.

[1tdawg]

I thought this too. But if thats the case then why is he charging the "other turtle"? And why would he be tipping over the decor'?

[steve]

He's adjusting to a new habitat. Plus, if he has a clear view of people, he might be going into begging mode and swim through any obstacle.

[AllTheCandies]

My turtles are little too and they attack everything. I don't have any decorations in their bin in fear of them just breaking/eating stuff. They have some plastic floating leaves and the basking spot and that's it.
and yeah, backdrops are prolly a good idea. my bin is opague white and they seem to get less flustered in it than they did when they were in a clear bin

[theartbook35]

I thought this too. But if thats the case then why is he charging the "other turtle"? And why would he be tipping over the decor'?

I don't think there is a single person on this forum with a turtle that DOESN'T tip over decor. It's kind of just a turtle thing. They don't have scuba men statues or fake treasure that shoots up bubbles in the wild, so, their only "instinct" is to probably knock them out of their way.

He's most likely charging the other turtle because it's another turtle. They can be quite territorial. My two little ones are accustomed to living together and sharing but, I'd imagine if I added in a new turtle at some point, they'd be royally P.O.ed with the very concept. (Well, maybe just Hurricane, Typhoon is pretty darn tolerant).

[1tdawg]

So both behaviors are normal?

[theartbook35]

Yep, very normal. Your turtle is being a turtle.