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Well, this morning when I checked on my turtles they where in each others faces. So I watch and it didn't take two seconds before the bigger one put his/her paws out in front and started to vibrate them


So, here is my problem. I have two turtles (one 2 in. and the other 1 1/2 in.) in a 29 long that I keep filled 2/3 up. As of right now I have no where to put the other if I try to separate them. I would go on a shopping spree, but not only is this a bad time of year, I have to finish up my school today, because I am selling Christmas trees at 3:00 to 9:00. Then tomorrow I start at 12:00 and go to 9:00.

So I can't get to them till Monday will they be ok until then?

Please give me suggestions,

Nathan Radle.

Don't worry Nathan, they will be fine in the short-term. Between the two, they will be fine in the 30-gal tank for a little while yet until they grow a bit. They are both too young to be going thru puberty yet, so chances are they just playing with each other (not seriously "courting" each other yet). Turtles don't start getting aggressive traits until they reach around 4" long ("puberty").

Even if you wait till after Christmas to upgrade the tank to something bigger, they will be fine. I give you a lot of credit for already planning to upgrade though! Those are some lucky turtles!

Keep an eye on them. Turtles will flutter even to their reflection in the glass (mine does). However, if you notice one lunging towards the other or opening his mouth while fluttering, you'll have to separate them. That is a definite sign of aggression.

Although most turtles won't become aggressive until they are about a year old like Kristin said, I've read that there have been a few cases in which turtles have shown aggression when they are younger, though I don't think they were as young as yours are. The article I read did not specify size.

Do you feed them in the morning when you get up?

Is it a bad thing for a RES to flutter at it'self? I read some where that RES's enjoy having a small mirror to flirt with themselves in. Has anyone had any experience with this?

The fluttering is a sign of dominance. The turtle is basically telling the other turtle (whether real or his reflection) "This is my space, bud! Keep out!" If there is a female in the tank, a larger turtle will flutter to show "yeah, baby! I'm the man!" when he's ready to mate.

There are a couple of members here who have mirrors outside the tanks and their turtles flutter at their reflections. There's nothing wrong with it.

"yah, baby! I'm the man!" lol, good stuff.

I'm looking into one, we'll see.

Mine do that too! But seem to get along just fine. They sleep together, bask together..but now and then he flutters in her face. She hangs out and tolerates a while, and when she swims away, he goes about his business. I think it could be flirting, too? Someone advised me (here on the forum, sorry, can't remember who to give credit) that you'll KNOW if they don't get along. They'll chase each other, bang into things, and snap. I think the flutter is okay!

kiki - i read that too.. with so many guru's on here, i dont know who to give credit for saying that.

CountryGirl68 wrote:Keep an eye on them. Turtles will flutter even to their reflection in the glass (mine does). However, if you notice one lunging towards the other or opening his mouth while fluttering, you'll have to separate them. That is a definite sign of aggression.

Although most turtles won't become aggressive until they are about a year old like Kristin said, I've read that there have been a few cases in which turtles have shown aggression when they are younger, though I don't think they were as young as yours are. The article I read did not specify size.

Do you feed them in the morning when you get up?

I give them there veggies in the morning, but the pellets I separate them (put the bigger one who did the fluttering in a Tupperware bowl) and feed late in the afternoon.

I was asking because maybe the one is fluttering to tell the other one that HE is getting the first bite!

Hey as long as it's a first bite of food and not tasty tank mate..