Other Turtle Discussion :: Got Bitten!

[rana]

For the first time one of my turtles bit me! It was the timid one. Although she is becoming the dominate one lately, I have been watching them interact and she is not backing down from the other one any more. No fighting, just the fluttering. I have a feeling that I will have to seperate them soon.

[Linus]

How big is she?

Once they get large it gets a little more serious.

[rana]

She is about 6-7 inches. She broke skin and it bled a little. I washed it and put some neosporin on it.

[sflemin2]

How old are they both? How long have they been together? I know that hurts.. once they are that big . Mine got me when she was that size. I don't know if this is true or just a coincidence but when my timid female started laying eggs, she dominated the tank until she was done. They never fought or anything. The normally dominant one backed down. Now that she laid all of her eggs, they switched places again. Have you felt her for eggs? She definitely old enough. Like I said, just an observation..I am not sure if they are connected.

[rana]

They have been together all of their lives and they are about 2 1/2 yrs old. I have only had them for about 8 months. I think it was because I have been taking them outside, and they dont like it. They were never outside before I got them. She was freaking out when I stuck my hand in the tank to get her out, she knew what was coming.

[Linus]

It's a lot worse at 9"

[sflemin2]

Rana, hopefully it was just that and everything will be OK! Emotional turtles!

Linus, mine are that big now.. I have manage to avoid getting bit in the past few years. I would rather not know how much worse lol

[theartbook35]

I have a "timid" one. She won't bite me, because she knows I am boss. But she has no problem trying to take a bite out of my mother.

The way I have handled her biting is, when she would hold her mouth open at me, ready to bite, I would push her lower jaw upward gently until her mouth closed, then rub her chin. And I would keep at eye level with me, that way I am not a predator, and not trying to be bigger than her. She learned pretty quick that I meant business. She won't bite me, but she will definitely still go at my mother. Of course, my mother likes to tease her cause she thinks this biting is cute. She's been warned that when our little ones get to be the size of Sadie, Typhoon's biting phase won't be cute anymore. My mother operates under the delusion that turtles have abstract thoughts, and that they understand my mother's teasing means she isn't impressed with the toughness act. All Typhoon really understand is "I said don't touch me there, and I mean it".

[turtlesrmom]

Krush got me on the base of my thumb. I made the mistake of taking him out of the water just after giving him a chunk of fish. He wanted more fish; not to be out of the water! It was a good bite and I warned my kids to be careful.

[sflemin2]

I think if you start early, there is hope. No way am I trying that now.. its my 10 inch turtle that bites. My 9 inch is sweet.. she PROBABLY wouldnt bite.. haha. I think sometimes they bite because they cant tell the different between flesh and food.. heck I put food in the tank and they bite at it for 5 seconds before they catch it haha

[Linus]

My big girl is not afraid of me at all, or anyway for that matter. When she's basking in the backyard, nothing makes her go into the water. Not me walking around, not the gardeners cleaning up!

[sflemin2]

Mine are the same way now.. they seem much happier in a room with traffic. They just seemed bored and depressed when they were in a low traffic room. They watch TV...my crazy dog... and people of course. Maybe its because ours are older or something

[SINI5T3R]

Full Grown Female got me a while back on my arm when i went to reach for the door to open it and didnt notice my hand i was holding her in was close enough to my forarm and BAM she tagged me QUICK. she didnt let go ither. hurt like hell!

When i had some snappers they would snap just when you would throw pellets in there. and there snaps are CRAZY when they are Full grown Females