General Care Discussion :: opening mouths?

[emma]

Why do my turts open and close their mouths underwater?? They only open them up a bit an then close em again. They are between 1-2 inch turtles. Does this mean something bad?

[scripta_elegans]

If the open mouth only happens under water, it's normal and not bad at all. Turtles use their mouth to smell their way to food, or away from danger, so they are tasting the water often to see if they is something to eat around, or something eating near them. They also drink the water sometimes. If the open mouth is on top of the platform, or above the water, that's when it's concerning for respiratory infection, or RI for short.

[Tenodera]

Yea they look like their chewing under water right? or gulping down water? It's normal.

[emma]

yup. Thanks!