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he hisses whenver i try to pick him up... he seems to like having his spine rubbed. has anyone gotten their turtle to allow them to pet their head? i havent tried but would like to. i want him more mellow

RES are not famous for being mellow. I have diamondback terrapins and they're little hams. I can pet their heads no problem and hand feed them.
I have pictures of me petting their heads here somewhere.

I think the thing to remember is that turtles are meant to be wild animals, and even though we have made pets out of them, they are going to keep some of their natural tendencies. Some people may have RES that enjoy interaction, but it is not normal. Even as humans we are all different in how we deal with other people.

my turtles were skiddish when i first got them. but now they try to get through the glass whenever they see me.

they know i mean food, and they wil eat out of my fingers. i wouldn't say they enjoy me picking them up, but i have never heard hissing.

Mine is skittish around anyone except for me. And that's only because she has gotten used to me. At first she wouldn't even bask with me in the room now she couldn't care less what i was doing around her while shes basking. She also lets me rub her chin and pet her head. Just give it some time yours will probably become more comfortable with you and allow you to have more contact with her.

Also that hissing noise is usually from them sucking their bodies into their shells quickly. The air that is inside has to escape and it comes out sounding like a hiss. It's not usually a sign of them being mad, but a little scared.

yea ive had it for years though.