Feeding and Nutrition :: biting each other

[stinky_hurley]

So I've been busy with things for quite some time, moving in and out of the house, leaving my turtles all alone with my dad, who changes the water for my turtle everyday (my filter ceased to work... and the tank is too small for the filter i suppose) which btw my turtle have this curiosity for my filter! It would go under the filter whenever I turn it on and stay there and try to burrow under it. Wow I just realized is this a behavior that means they want to hid under something? Because all i have is rocks and water...

but anyway back to my question. I feed them about once every 3 days, but they always beg for more (I can't help but to give them alot...) so then they start fighting for the pellets, and one of my smaller turtle (cutest one of them all ... =]) wanted this food, but my biggest one got it first, and turned away, and the smaller one accidentally bit the other turtle's claw! I picked them up and tried to get her to stop biting, but she wouldn't let go! and my bigger turtle (stinky) didn't seem to mind or anything... I was beginning to think that my smaller turtle (which i call girlturtle) is stuck! just like how a fish would get stuck on a hook, only she's stuck on stinky's claw. Can that happen? but then stinky clawed girlturtle and she opened up.

So to the point... I'm really a amateur turtle owner but have been for several years... I have three turtles. and a tank good for 2. (size of a hp fax printer? I don't know the actual size...) But they manage. however, my family is not keen on the idea that the whole tank should be filled with water, and there fore the water is only about an inch up. And the rocks takes up the room for them to swim...

please just tell me what I should do to make them more happy! that is my goal!
and sorry for the long post until i actually ask the question!

[Tenodera]

rocks do you mean gravel (tiny little rocks) or big stones?

Turtles will eat gravel and this will cause impaction, which will result in death.

You could try feeding them in a different container. When it's feeding time take the one thats hogging all the food and feed him in a separate plastic container. Feed the smaller one in his tank so he feels more comfortable.

Here's a picture of my turtle eating in a separate container


PS. You might wanna resize your avatar

Cheers,

Kevin

[steve]

Welcome! I had to delete your giant avatar, feel free to add a smaller one (100X100 max).

Many people don't realize what goes into turtle/reptile care. It's a shame too because they are really not enjoying the whole experience that this hobby can bring. Check out some of the tanks in the photo gallery (and some more here: www.redearslider.com/habitat_gallery.html). The objective of pet care is not to make sure it lives but that it is healthy and thriving.

Definitely feed them separately as recommended and cross your fingers that there isn't any future aggression in which you need to give some away or house them separately.