I have 2 turtles, my "boys". Same age, yet diff in size. 1=6" shell, 1=4" shell. Larger is def RES; smaller I've thought was a yellow belly, but unsure. Diff markings on shell & belly. Lgr has flatter shell. They were bought within a month of each other when they were both the size of a quarter & have been together for almost 8 yrs. Based on cloaca & flatness of belly shell, I've figured both to be female; based on front nails, I've figured both to be males. Needless to say, I figure whatever God intended would happen..... They are in a 60 gal tank; I have a 200 gal on reserve waiting to make room for it. They have always gotten along well, no fighting over food, resting areas, etc. About a week ago, I noticed the larger one biting the underside of the smaller one's neck. He was swimming underneath, but at a perpendicular angle to the smaller one. Afraid he was hurting his friend, I tapped him with my net & he let go. Never went back towards the other. Called a pet store who said they may have been attempting to mate. Told them I really thought they were the same sex (just not sure which one....) & asked if same sex would mate; told YES. They've been fine for about a week. Yesterday, I happened to look at the tank as I walked by the room & saw blood in the water. I ran over to find they were in the same position (larger biting the underside of the smaller's neck), but this time, the larger one's "organ" was out. They were not in a mating position &, as I said, I've always assumed they were the same sex. Because of the blood, I tapped the bigger one, who let go. I couldn't see a gaping wound on the neck of the smaller one & didn't see any more blood seeming to go into the water. But boy, did the larger one want to go after the smaller one. I threw a grate between them in the tank. The bigger one climbed over 3 times (it sticks at least 6" above the water line, but he didn't care) to go after the smaller one before I could grab netting to put over his side. I didn't give him a chance to get to the other one, so I'm not sure if he would have bitten it or not. At one point, the smaller one nipped at the larger one's head as he swam by. I called a reptile place who confirmed that same sex will attempt to mate & biting is normal during mating, but if they are drawing blood, there's too much aggression & I would be wise to release the larger one into the wild. When I protested about them being hand raised almost since birth, I was told they'd adapt quickly. To which I responded that there are gators in every body of water near me. Both of them now stay at the divider a lot, just looking at each other - I feel so bad..... They can touch each other thru the grate (it's that white plastic covered closet shelf), but they aren't displaying any aggression.
1. Will same sex mate?
2. Is biting during mating normal?
3. Will they seriously injure or kill each other?
4. Do I need to separate them for the rest of their lives?
5. If I had no choice, will they adapt in the wild?
I love my guys... More than my son whom Santa gave them to nearly 8 yrs ago. I talk to them, hold them, hand feed them sometimes...... Looking forward to your input.
