Other Turtle Discussion :: Is it fight or play?

[tY2i]

My turts do this unusual thing. They first face off, put their hands besides their head, and start to vibrate. One seems to challenge the other at certain times. But what is this they're doing? Is it fight or play? Whatever it is, it sure is strange.

[QuanMan]

They are actually doing a matting dance, but, that doesn't exactly mean they are going to have intercourse so you don’t have to worry about babies……well unless they really do “do it.”

[JessicaTS]

How big are your turtles? If they are hatchlings/yearlings, chances are they wont mate. Does one shake his claws in front of the other as well?

[cam722]

The mating dance isn't always done for mating purposes, it can also be a sign of a territorial dispute depends on the turtles, tank conditions etc... just keep an eye out for any potential problems.. but let's hope it's just practicing for later

[sonyj]

The mating dance isn't always done for mating purposes, it can also be a sign of a territorial dispute depends on the turtles, tank conditions etc... just keep an eye out for any potential problems.. but let's hope it's just practicing for later

This is true... if the tank is too small it can be a sign of aggression. They simply are displaying how they feel. And they will do this if they feel that the other is in their "territory".

[steve]

Carol and Sonja make a heck of tag-team!

[cam722]

Carol and Sonja make a heck of tag-team!

Ok, *tag* you're it steve

[heidi]

My turtle has been doing the vibrating thing as well but she (or is it a he?) is the only one in the tank...is it a sign that they're growing up? is it possibly an indication the tank conditions/size isnt working for her?

[sonyj]

What is her length (shell from tip to tip not including curve)? And what is her set up like, tank size, basking area, lighting-uvb &uva, etc? That way we can be sure if it is just her doing this or her habitat conditions causing this.

[heidi]

her shell size is about 4", she's in a 25 gallon tank and her basking area is quite small....maybe a 6"x6" area? the light is just a heat lamp light...i was told that a uvb light wasnt necassary....

[JessicaTS]

The pet store people told you that? They are wrong. UVB is essential to a turtle's health for vitamin d3 synthesis (goes accordingly with calcium to keep the shell hard and healthy, as well as ward off infections and diseases)
The basking dock can be a bit bigger for her to bask confortably
What are the water and basking temperatures?

[heidi]

water temp is about 81 degrees and im not sure about the basking temp...the light is about 9-12" away from the basking dock....as for her shell health, i add those calcium to the tank once every two weeks...are those just plain useless??
thx for all these answers by the way

[JessicaTS]

what calcium things? If you mean the calcium block, I hear they are not as beneficial as it seems. The calcium you do want to place in your tank is the cuttlebone with the hard backing scrapped off
The water temp is a bit high, lower it down to about 75 and the basking dock should be 85. You might want to get a thermometer and measure the dock's temp.

[sonyj]

water temp is about 81 degrees and im not sure about the basking temp...the light is about 9-12" away from the basking dock....as for her shell health, i add those calcium to the tank once every two weeks...are those just plain useless??
thx for all these answers by the way

Water temp is too high. For a turtle that size it should really be about 72-75, hatchlings 78, but not higher. Basking temp is good around 88-90 or at least ten degrees higher. It's a must to know both temps to provide a healthy environment for your turtle.

Yes, the calcium tablets are useless. Throw them out and buy some cuttlebone from the petstore. It's in the bird section. Remove the hard backing off of it and break it into head size peices. Drop it in the tank and replace as it's eaten.

As for the tank size, general rule for a healthy habitat is 10gallons of tank per inch of turtle. So as soon as possible look into a larger tank. And remember as your turtle grows so should his home.

[heidi]

thanks for your help!