Why is my male red ear slider biting the female? What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
my male red ear slider has been trying to bite my female red ear slider, What should I do?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 28th, 2017
You should separate them. When confined in a tank or other small area, red ear sliders (RES) can exhibit a dominating behavior towards other tank mates. Turtles can easily injure one another with their bites. Males may endlessly pursue females which is probably what is happening with yours. Harassment can escalate to serious aggression such as fighting which can result in cuts, loss of limbs or even death. Adding a new turtle may immediately cause aggression and bullying, while some turtles harass more after they develop sexually. Males seem to be more likely to fight each other and harass females. Wish I had an easier solution for you but separating them would be best.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 8th, 2017
You may have to keep them separated if your tank is not big enough to accommodate two turtles. Female sliders are bigger than males and can bully smaller turtles in their environment. Red eared sliders are notorious for being territorial as well. You can try introducing them again, but if you see more aggression, they will need to be separated permanently.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My female red eared slider (1 1/2 years old) bit my male red eared slider under the tail area and there was bleeding. The bleeding stopped and I separated the turtles but I don't know what to do now. The male turtle is swimming and eating fine now. P
You may have to keep them separated if your tank is not big enough to accommodate two turtles. Female sliders are bigger than males and can bully smaller turtles in their environment. Red eared sliders are notorious for being territorial as well. You can try introducing them again, but if you see more aggression, they will need to be separated permanently.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have 5 baby aquatic turtles Less then a year old in a 40 gallon tank 2 of the 5 are the same breed of turtle and they've all been together but just a day ago one of them has been nipping at the others feet and trying to hurt him I have no idea why
Separate out the aggressive one. It could be nipping due to hunger, stress or aggression. Consider hand feeding to avoid accidental bites as well as dividing them into two tanks to provide more space. As they mature, they will require a significantly larger space. This number of turtles ideally will need a tank in the hundreds of gallons range or a small pond. A general guideline is 10 gallons per inch of turtle. Sexing turtles is easier when they are mature. Without knowing the species, it can be difficult, but in general, females are larger than males. Males have a shorter, thicker tail in comparison and usually have longer front claws. A female will have a flat plastron whereas the male will have a slight concavity. Males have a v-notch at the rear of the carapace to accommodate the tail when mating. Lastly, you can check the cloaca, or vent. Females will have a rounder vent closer to the body whilst males will have more of a slit farther down under the tail. All these diff
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I have 2 aquatic turtle's and the male keeps biting the female on the tail, I understand that that is part of a mating ritual but her tail now has an open wound and it looks like there is some skin missing. I would like some advice on how to proc
If you have a male who is constantly aggressive with a female then you may need to consider separating them. It can be dangerous and very stressful for the female. As for the wound I would encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian soon. Reptiles do not heal very quickly and they can develop deep infections that many need antibiotic therapy to resolve. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I have a juvenial slider turtle. How do you figure out weather they are male or female? Also if I put 2 males or 2 females together will they fight/be aggressive with eachother?
Juveniles smaller than about 4 inches are difficult to sex. Once they reach that size or larger, it is quite simple.Female sliders are larger, have shorter front claws and thinner. smaller tails than males.
Males can be territorial and could "argue" if the tank is not of sufficient size. Ideally, you want to allow about 10 gallons per inch of turtle. Sliders can get big (12 inches fully grown), so be sure you have the space and budget for a large tank.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Yoho Recently I bought a new red ear turtle I am having one of same breed named as bolt (kept as per his behaviour) what care should I take
Use caution when introducing two turtles, especially if there is a significant size difference. Determining gender is critical also since females tend to be more aggressive and territorial than male sliders. Be sure to provide a large enough tank. The general rule is 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle. Two turtles may require a 120 gallon tank. It is possible the tank may need to be larger. Basic provisions include a water filter, water heater, basking platform, heat lamp and UVB lighting. A balanced diet will consist of fresh greens and vegetables, animal protein and commercial pellets. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle has gained weight and I have recently found out that she is pregnant she has become very aggressive and so has the other turtle in the tank. I have two red ear sliders one is a male one is a female. I do not know what to do with her I put h
A gravid (pregnant) RES is very particular about the site she chooses to lay her clutch of eggs. Substrate, temperature, lighting and humidity all play roles in selection. Follow the link for information regarding mating, egg laying and incubation. http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html Gestation is about 8 weeks after mating. If it has been longer, TeTe should be examined by your herp veterinarian. An injection can be given to stimulate laying. If you are not set up for incubation or don't have buyers lined up, you can discard the eggs. RES are not endangered and are actually over populated. You can easily find yourself overwhelmed with hatchlings as a female RES can lay several clutches each season if conditions are right.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my turtle tank‘s water red?But none of my turtles have been hurt and two has been wiggling their arms at each other.
It may be due to coloring from the food or tank furniture. It may also be a water quality issue. Look both turtles over for any signs of obvious injury. If they are both female, you may have some aggression/territoriality issues which may require a significantly larger tank or separation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my turtle flutter his claw? and do turtles need a mate?
Turtles don't need to mate. Check his foot for signs of injury or infection. This may include redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or discharge. If you see anything, have Pepper examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. In the meantime, confirm adequate water depth, quality and temperature. You can review red eared slider care information here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Sorry! In my last question regarding the hatching living with Oscar, Oscar is a turtle not a fish, that’s his name, although I do have a cichlids tank but that’s different:). So would a hatching be able to live with a 5 ish inch turtle red eared slid
I wouldn't recommend keeping a smaller turtle with a larger turtle. Oscar would harass or try to eat the smaller turtle. Red eared sliders can be quite territorial and aggressive towards other sliders. If you have a huge tank, say over 100 gallons, it *may* work. If you are set on having another turtle, look for one that is similar in size. The problem with mixing species is that there may be care and environmental differences that you may not be able to overcome in order to provide adequate care to both species.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
i dont know if my terrapin is a male or female. i used to thought its a female until i recently just brought in a new terrapin and my older terrapin is starting to vibrate it's claws on the other's face some people said its the mating dance but some
Males have longer front claws and a longer, thicker tail. Determining sex can be difficult in turtles measuring less than 4 inches. Consider separating the turtles until the smaller one is larger. Sliders can be quite territorial and a larger turtle may injure a significantly smaller one.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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