General Care Discussion :: Female Behavior

[dznyfan]

I read that when a female turtle is gravid, they look like they want to escape, have a loss in apetite, become partailly inactive and dig with their back feet.

All my turtle does is tries to escape. She never swims in the middle of her tank... just along the glass walls with her claws touching the edges. Is this normal? Are most turtles supposed to swim all over, because mine doesn't)

This may sound like a weird question, but I just found out my turtle was a girl so I researched some things and want to know just what's going on.

She currently eats a lot and i very active, but I have nothing for her to dig yet.

Thank You so much!

[jenaero]

How big/old is she?

Mine starting laying eggs last year, when she was 4 years old and about 6in long. She stopped eating, basked the entire day, every day, and was trying to escape/dig.

Swimming against the glass could be meaningless, as mine have done that since they were babies.

[dznyfan]

Yeah my little girl is only between 1-2 years old but has a shell length of about 4 in.

I doubt it is anything but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[jozzep]

my 3 females are over 7" and around 4 years old.Still no eggs.
If your turtle is 3 years old or less, i highly doubt she's looking for a nesting spot.
She might just wanna get out.......

[jenaero]

I brought my girls to the vet when the one started acting like that. He assured me she was too small/young to worry about eggs yet. That evening I found a dozen eggs in the bottom of the tank. I need to find another vet lol

[jozzep]

I brought my girls to the vet when the one started acting like that. He assured me she was too small/young to worry about eggs yet. That evening I found a dozen eggs in the bottom of the tank. I need to find another vet lol

Yeah i would agree with you on that......

[dznyfan]

^^ That's pretty funny jenaero Definitely need a new vet! ^^

Thanks for the help everyone, I appreciate everyone answering my little questions

[marisa]

What do you have in the tank with her? If the tank is essentially bare, try putting some plants and a few river rocks in it. They might give your turtle something to do besides swimming against the tank.

[mike hill]

Dz-fan -- Marcia Mod is on the right track. If your turtle is in a new environment and new to you, it is normal. Your turtle may be looking for a place to hide or get behind. m.

[dznyfan]

Alright thanks everyone,

She has calmed down quite a bit and is just swimming happy as can be. I am going to try and get some plants, whether those be real or fake.

If I do get real plants, do I have to maintain them or do you just drop them in and they do all the work?

[scottpkura]

Make sure the plants are safe for the turtle if and when she eats them. Your turtle will most likely dig them up, fake plants is ok. Also Try putting a background on your tank (Mine's just Black)

[dznyfan]

Yes, I am getting a background for the tank and her soon-to-be above tank basking/nesting area.