Other Turtle Discussion :: turtle biting turtle

[atrain2187]

hello just wondering if theres anything i can do because one of my female turtles keep biting the other turtles fat on the others leg and holding n which looks painful for about 5 seconds....also how can u tell if a turtles overweight because shes looking a little chunky on the hind legs..thanks for your time.

[steve]

The only sure method is to separate them or use a tank divider. Larger tanks might help, but usually do not. It's interesting that she's only going after that part.

As for weight issues...if there is a bit of flab pushed out when the limbs go into the shell, you can say that the turtle is overweight.

[marisa]

If the skin has been broken or roughed up at all, it will be like a magnet for the biting turtle; they usually keep going aftaer the same area once the tiniest wound has been made.

Sounds like an adjustment needs to be made to their living situation...

[atrain2187]

thank you for the responses..yes i think one of my turtles is overwieght..also why would the turtle attack the same spot after its wounded..it is noticable..its like a red bruise.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I read this somewhere... can't remember, but a good way to find out if your turtle is overweight is to make him put his entire body in his shell and if he has one of his legs or his head sticking out and cannot put it in his shell then he's overweight. I don't really know if thats true or not though.

[marisa]

They will go after a wounded spot in particular because they can smell it.

[novroz]

You can check my turtle's blog to see her overweight picture, http://kamekroten.wordpress.com/2010/08 ... sful-diet/ it is about her succesful diet. She was really overweight but I managed to make her decrease her fat a little.

My turtle also loves to bite the other. I have to keep them in separate tanks