Other Turtle Discussion :: What are my turtles doing?!

[NGC_6872]

So my hatchling and juvenile yellow bellied turtles went up to each other, stretched their arms in front of their head, and then rapidly shook their heads at each other. What is that??? I've never seen them do that before.

[steve]

It's called fluttering. Males/females do it as a warning to each other. Males will also do this to females when they want to court them. It's normal

[NGC_6872]

It's called fluttering. Males/females do it as a warning to each other. Males will also do this to females when they want to court them. It's normal

Thank you. I'm new at owining turtles and I was not sure whether to be concerned about it.

[steve]

No problem, we are happy to help

[Impulse Shopper]

Females flutter too, though, right?

[steve]

Yes, but I don't think they do it as much. It's been ages since my I've seen my female RES do it. I do it all the time and I get no response.

The OP has a typo though, it's not their heads that shake. That would be pretty new.

[paul939]

Is it their front arms that shake?? my two hatchlings did that this morning and I couldnt figure out what they were doing!

[Kansasslider]

Yes they shake their leg's. Only my male map currently does it to my female res. He does it because he is trying to mate with her.