General Care Discussion :: Res Biting me

[xd99xd.2]

My femal res has been trying to bite my fingers lately. I dont even touch her to make her mad and she trys to go after my fingers for some reason. I have been hand feeding her for the past few weeksif that would confuse her.
Is this normal for res? My male doesn't seem to do this and I have been hand feeding him shrimp occasionly.

[steve]

Yes, when they are in water and something is near them, they will try to bite. It's pretty normal and more painful when they get bigger.

[xd99xd.2]

Thanks, do they bite from thinking its food or they just feel like biting? She only seems to do it to me and shy away from other people.

[Kansasslider]

All my turtles have bitten me. I try not to stick my finger in front of them. I can handle them all without biting but if you put something small like a finger in front of them they might bite at it. Never been bitten out of water so I would guess they are more comfortable in water.

[steve]

I've been bitten out of water, and I've seen my male RES attack my female RES out on the lawn... so when it's out of water its tied to aggression, when in water and going for fingers, it's more food-related. Very instinctual in my opinion.