General Care Discussion :: Question about Separating Turtles

[Honu23]

Hi! I'm new here. My question is whether turtles will be lonely after separation.

My friend has two male RES, 6" and 4", that she is not able to keep, and I am considering adopting the smaller one. They are both temporarily in one container in my kitchen. I have noticed the larger displaying signs of aggression to the smaller, causing stress on the smaller, so I separated them.

After that, the smaller one STAYED completely withdrawn and wouldn't eat. When I got home from work the next day, they were both huddled in the corners of the containers nearest each other. So I gave up, put them back together - and the little one was immediately happier, legs and tail out, swimming around, and ate!

I have read the advice here - they do need to be separated. One poster had success with keeping them on separate sides of a larger enclosure with an egg crate. That's more than I am ready to take on. So the question is, if I adopt just the smaller one and set him up in a proper habitat, will he recover from the separation? How long will that take?

This would be my first turtle, and if I adopt him, I want to do it right. Thanks for reading, and for any advice!

[jameshermanto]

welcome honu23, well 90 days for quarantine, but for adapt it will be 1-2 weeks. just calm down. and use glove, sometimes turtle nails like cutter, especially the biggest one, can bleed your hand =D just becarefull

[BullDog]

Some people claim that their turtles have seemed down after being separated, but I really don't think it's true. It can take a couple of weeks or even a month for a turtle to get used to its new surroundings, and in this period it may be shy.

Before you adopt him, make sure you read the main site (www.redearslider.com). RES are a pretty big responsibility, and if in the future you end up not being able to care for it, you'll have to find it another responsible home (like your friend is doing now).

What sort of container are they in? Is it heated? What's the water depth? Do you know the water temperature? Is there a place they can get completely out of the water, and is there proper basking lights?

Cool water is usually one of the main causes of sluggish behaviour. For RES of that size, you'll want the water to be around 72-76*F.

I would say if think you'd like to adopt one (and have done your research), start with just one. If you've already seen signs of aggression (and with two males aggression is common), then it's likely it will only continue. And two RES means two complete setups (or one large, separated tank, as you've seen).

[Honu23]

Thanks for your help!

Bulldog, I don't even want to get into how these turtles have been living -- it's been that bad.

Right now I'm in a tricky spot - the turtles do not belong to me, the owner just put them in my kitchen temporarily. We're friends, she's at my place a couple of times a week, but she brushes off my concerns ("oh no, that's fine, they're used to it.") It's a bit like telling a family member you don't approve of how they are raising their kids...

Have done my research - this site is GREAT. The little guy will get a better set-up asap if I adopt him, promise. No way was I going to adopt both of them, I knew that would be too much for me.

From what you and james have shared, it might take a while to adapt, but he will be ok long term. Will keep you posted - and ask more questions as they arise! Thanks again.

[jameshermanto]

hope you allright ^__^

[EmperorTunaFish]

Try showing your friend this page. It can be difficult to persuade a stubborn person one-on-one.