General Care Discussion :: Male red ear slider showing off after eating? Help?

[burtont48]

My two year old male red ear slider has been doing this: http://youtu.be/T8yP9kFji3c after eating. He has been eating a little less than normal. I only feed him every other day. He used to poop almost everytime after eating but now just does this instead. This has been going on for about a month. He has been growing fast, but I have been very careful not to over feed him. What does everyone think?

[steve]

Well, holding him up might stress him out which might make him want to expose his penis (fanning). Perhaps he's just getting used to his manhood. Is he still pooping though?

[burtont48]

He probably does poop hours after eating but i dont see him go anymore. It seems like this is blocking his poop from coming out. At no other times during the day does he seem uncomfortable. he always shows himself in the water about 10 mins after eating. i only picked him up this one time to get a good shot with the camera.
if this really is blocking the poop from coming out after eating should he grow out of this? how many months should I let this go on before maybe having him checked out by a vet with X-ray?

[steve]

If he's still having bowel movements, then there probably isn't a blockage. If he can retract back into the cloaca, then that is normal. Do you think there is something in the tank that he might have eaten? You can get an X-ray at anytime, I'm just not sure you'll find what you're looking for… it might just mean he doesn't poop on schedule as before.

[burtont48]

the tank is empty, bare bottom. he does bite at the black silicone seams sometimes, but no pieces are missing. a little silicone would probably just go through him right? i have only seen him poop one time in the last two months. he's probably fine, but i've never heard of another turtle doing this every time after eating.

[steve]

Yes, silicone should pass easily if it's in small pieces. If there is algae on the silicone, that might be why he's biting it. I would clean it up because it will eventually leak and re-sealing tanks is not fun.

Like I said before, I think he's just getting used to it. I'd be worried if there was a complete lack of appetite. It's not unusual for them to be a little less interested in food during this season.