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So I have 3 RES and 1 painted turtle. They all get along great. The biggest one who is about 2 years old has just started this new "thing".

He gets on his basking float and bits at the air. Then he makes a croaking sound. I cant find information on it anywhere.
Does anyone know what this behavior is?

Thank you
Jangus and Mandi

Not to be alarmist, but that sounds like he's having trouble breathing. They aren't supposed to breath with their mouths open and they aren't supposed to make noise. Sometimes when they are ill with a respiratory infection however they will make a noise.

Are there any other symptoms of illness? For example - poor appetite, lethargy, swollen eyes, yawning a lot, swimming lopsided or having difficulty submerging, mucus around the nose or mouth.

If he's got a respiratory illness, he'll need to be treated by a vet. The treatment is antibiotics so it's something you cannot do without a vet's help.

No other than this weird random bitting at the air and sound his behavior has been fine.
I cant see if the noise is made with his mouth open or not. If I get that close while he does he his goes back into the water.
I should say it sounds almost like a chirp. Not wheezy like I would expect by respiratory problems.
If no one else has heard of this I will have him checked out by our vet. Thank you.

Maybe someone else will respond who's had more direct experience but if the sound he's making is a chirp, then it does sound like an RI symptom I've heard of before. If it turns out that he does have an RI but he's not showing any other symptoms then that's a good thing - means he's still strong and will be more likely to respond to treatment.

Just in case he's coming down with something, keep him warm (80 to 82 degrees) and clean and avoid stressing him. Make sure he continues to eat. Can you separate him from the others? If he's getting ill he's probably contageous.

Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing but just another example of turtle personality. Keep us posted on how it goes.

SpotsMama wrote:The treatment is antibiotics so it's something you cannot do without a vet's help.

Hey Spots, can you edit your first post for me? I don't want any noobies to get the wrong idea form skimming.

It still doesn't sound normal to me since he is opening his mouth above water. It may be a sneeze, and sneezes (if they occur often when he is out of the water) are a sign of sickness. I would get him checked out by a vet, just in case.

good catch N4784! I usually read my posts before submitting them but my proofreading skills are apparently not the sharpest. thanks for the notice. I edited the post.

NP, it happens to me all the time.