General Care Discussion :: YB biting RES's foot/leg

[makinaworld]

Hey, I have a male YB turtle (2 Years Old) and a RES female (6 Years) I have had the RES for almost 2 years and the YB for almost 4 month, they were both fine in the tank together and still mate etc, I am just a little worried about the RES. The YB keeps going to the RES and biting her foot or leg, I have looked to see if theres any wounds on her but can't see any, I am just concerned and about her. Has anyone else came across this? If so is it normal or is it something to be worried about? The YB isn't just biting her foot and leg, but anything what is in the tank ie: Basking Area, Logs, Heater. Also, the RES is Pregnant and I think she is due to lay anytime soon.

Any help will be brilliant, Thanks

[steve]

He's simply an aggressive turtle and you'll have to keep him in his own tank. I have an aggressive male too and I have to keep his tank very bare as well.

[makinaworld]

sorry about late reply, I have put him into a different tank, I keep trying them together again, and he keeps biting her back end again, I am just a little confused as I got the YB ages ago and they were both fine together its just recently that he goes for her back legs?

[steve]

It doesn't matter, once it starts happening it doesn't stop and will only escalate. I had mine since they were hatchlings, then there was nothing I could do once this started.

[makinaworld]

Ok thanx, I'm not even 100% sure if she's pregnant, what kind of things will change if she's pregnant? She had become really active, she used to be quite lazy and sleep alot and now she basks alot and splashes alot as if she's wanting to tell me something lol, I have had her over 2 years now, she's 6 and all the time I have had her I have never seen her this active.

[steve]

It's possible she's gravid. She could also be telling you she wants out of there. Have they been separated yet?

[makinaworld]

Yes they have been separated over a week, how old does a male YB have to be before he can properly mate?

[steve]

Sexual maturity has more to do with size than age. Since captive turtles are fed more and grow faster than their wild counterparts, they also become sexually mature sooner. I would say some are ready to mate and produce eggs at 2 or 3 years, however they might not be viable or healthy.

Can you feel for eggs?