General Care Discussion :: Territory?

[Ferd]

i have two baby res. they have grown alot but are still smaller than 3 inches. there cage is set up with a cascade filter and a set up of river rocks that act as a cave. they love it!! However i think taht they love it too much. Since the top of the "cave" is submerged, they use it as a place to rest when thy dont want to dry out. But whenever they get on the rock together, one or the other will flick their claws at each other. Is this teritorial issues or is it a courting thing? I think that it is courting since it has expanded to the whole cage. Could i be mistaken? thanks for all the help!

[stray_647]

Well since they are so small, I think this not mating behavior. More likely a territorial issue. Maybe a bigger basking spot would resolve the issue How big is your tank?

[Ferd]

since my parents will only allow a terrarium that can fit in my room i have the 'turtle tank" they say however when i get the money and they get too big that they can be moved into somthing better so untill then im stuck. one bit the other a few days back on the neck, but what i read is that is was a mating bit since there was no sign of blood or broken skin. Just a quick nip and nuthing more.

[flutterby]

What size tank do you have and how much water is in it? Just because it "looks" like there is "enough" room doesn't mean that there actually is.

[stray_647]

As far as i know, this seems to be territorial, if you can separate them that would be good i guess, but if not, I would just keep an eye on them.

[Ferd]

that is what i have been doin. sinc ei cant change the turtle cage, im stuck with it. but when i get enough money, hopefully i can buy a new cage. and also, what are some mating movements. Ive seen the bigger one mount the little one quite often now.

[stray_647]

Some things you can do to avoid further conflict in the tank is to fill it up with as much water as possible with a few inches below the top so the turts cannot escape. Mounting is normal I believe, mine do that in water sometimes, they do tha a lot when basking, totally normal.

For mating behaviors do a search in the forum, a lot of people have mentioned them

[Ferd]

thank you a lot for all the help! Ill keep in touch with updates. right now they are going to get a new filter soon and a mat that is supposed to build up leg muscles ans well as somthing for the algae in the tank.so long and thanks again!

[flutterby]

An inexpensive idea that might help in your situation is to get a Rubbermaid storage container. They're a good temporary set up until you can get the one you want for a rather low price.

[Ferd]

good idea. howeveer i just got a new filter that fits just for the tank so wheni get the chance, and the money, ill upgrade to somthin good