Feeding and Nutrition :: angry/confused turtles

[rexandflower]

When I dropped in the pellets for Rex and Flower's feeding this morning Rex bit Flower's foot and wouldn't let go. I had to immerse my hand in their water and pull Rex out so he would drop Flow's foot. I feed the turts every other day; this is the first time this has happened. Is it possible that these turts need to be separated? Should I feed them more often?

[iac637]

I had this happen once or twice with our turtles I scoled my turtle yes like you would a child and just watch them when they eat. I think if it only happens once you are ok but if it becomes a daily thing you will have to sperate them.

[RunninWideOpen]

Did rex do any damage to Flow? If so, it may need treated.

How long have they been together?

Squirt nipped at Crush's tail once at feeding time right after I got her and I immediately took her out and made her watch me feed Crush, lol. hasn't happened since.

[marisa]

Did the bite break the skin?

Watch to see if this happens again/repeatedly and keep an eye out for signs of bullying. If it seems to be only happening when they're competing for food, consider feeding them separately, or at least feeding them in different areas of the tank (don't just drop the pellets in and let them fight for them). If you start to notice biting when there's no food involved, they might need a bigger tank, or need to be separated. (How big is the tank they're in?)

At the size you wrote they are, feeding every other day is fine. What are you feeding them? How much at a feeding?

[rexandflower]

Rex and Flow have been together since birth (or so I assume). Rex has always been more dominant than Flow; he flutters his feet at her and is overall more aggressive when I pick him up; hissing and biting me and stuff.

I looked at Flow's foot and the skin wasn't broken. Rex and Flower are fed Wardley's turtle pellets; I try to gauge the amount they are fed using their heads as measurement. As a treat once a month they both get a grape. Also, when I can get it, they eat the water plant anacharis.

They are currently living in a 55 gallon aquarium (I know! Totally wrong for them!!). However, this summer my mom offered to help me set up a stock tank for Rex and Flower.

[Hoooneylynn]

lt looks like they need to be seperated right away... he did it once, he will do it again...

[RunninWideOpen]

Do you feed them by hand? If not, that may solve the problem. Competing for food may cause him to be more agressive with Flow. It only takes me a couple extra minutes in the morning to feed by hand, and then they aren't competing for the food. I also know then exactly how much food each is getting, and it's 'bonding' time with them.

You could also try feeding in a different container. That would keep your tank cleaner also.

If Rex is being aggressive other times beside feeding time, you may need to seperate them until you can get a bigger tank.

I've got one turtle that is more fiesty when I handle her also, Crush. I have to be extra gentle and slow with her. Quick movements freak her out. If I handle her slowly she is much more calm.

[rexandflower]

How do I feed from hand? It would be nice to bond with them because I feel so distant from them; they are in an aquarium and don't appreciate hugs as much as my dogs do.

I'll look more into tank and habitat stuff and try to concoct a new plan for my turts.

Thanks!!!

[DavidY]

The Reptomin floating sticks are great for hand feeding since they are shaped like sticks.

[RunninWideOpen]

Ya, floating sticks / pellets are great for feeding by hand like Davvid said. I also feed mealworms by hand - then they REALLY love me hehe.

Be aware when you feed by hand that they may get your fingers. Mine don't bite hard, but if they bite just right it can hurt. My big ones, it's only on accident - sometimes they don't have te best depth perception. The smalls ones sometimes mistake my fingers for worms I think. It's not too big a deal. But IF you do get bit, DONT yank. Slowly lift your fingers above the tank and they let go.

I love feeding mine by hand. They know it's feeing time every morning now and they wait for me....impatiently, hehe.

[RunninWideOpen]

Another thing I just thought of that I do is I put a veggie clip in for each turtle. They don't always go to the same one, but that way they each have one they can munch on alone...and they do. Keeps them from fighting over the same piece of lettuce or carrot.

[Erica&spikey]

try feeding them separately, i do this with my girls b/c they would do the same thing. they dont get agressive towards each other unless it involves food.