hostile turtle?

Question

I have a red-eared slider and a Reeves turtle in one tank. My slider has been biting my Reeves's tail, and now, part of her tail's skin is bitten off, and it's white and red. First of all, is there anything i can do to help my Reeves? Is her injury serious or will it heal itself? Other than going to the vet (it's expensive, and I don't know if vets help turtles much or not), what solutions do you guys suggest? Secondly, I know that red-eared sliders are territorial, but my parents refuse to get a second cage (not enough room or time to get a second one). Is there anything I can do to help the slider with her territory problem? I'm afraid that if I don't do something soon, my Reeves's tail will get worse.

Also, where is the best place to put turtles? We have the large tank in the kitchen right now where it's easy to wash the tank without moving much, but if we DO get a second tank, we'd need more room. Is there a better place to put the turtles?

Thank you for your help!!!

Thanks for all your advice, everyone. I was wondering, does anyone know of any good effective creams or ointments (meant for either turtles or humans) I could apply to my Reeves's tail to help it heal? If anyone knows of any good medicine from experience, please share!

Answer 1

There are turtle rescue & conservatory societies out there which are quietly run by folks who are very educated on various types of turtles, their diseases and social behaviors. I'd look online and email a few of them to see what they have to say. Your typical vet most likely will not be able to help unless he or she claims to have experience with reptiles.

But in the meantime I would definately separate them. It is my understanding that as turtles mature they become more aggressive and will compete for food and space.

Answer 2

all turtles are territorial, especially if they are different kinds of turtles. if you put two turtles together, especially if one lived in the cage for a while first, there is a good chance war will break out and it will get ugly. Typically, people get a 2nd cage right away. I've never seen someone just let it go before, so I don't know if they will fight until one of them is seriously bitten and dies, or eventually one will dominate the other and they will live peacefully that way. Also, you don't need a 2nd tank really. If the tank is fairly large, just get a divider and make sure they cannot come into contact with each other. Make sure the divider does not go all the way to the top, then water will flow to both ends evenly. Of course, only you know if the tank is big enough to divide it between the two of them. Sometimes just doing that is a simple solution and I've seen it done before with box turtles.

Answer 3

Slider may think the tail is a worm or insect - feed him some meal worms. Keep them apart for a while until the tail heals naturally, maybe a divider wall in the tank will do the job. The slider will not get over the territory problem unless it is the smallest critter in the cage and maybe not even then. Generally when a turtle wants sole use of the territory they attack the neck of the other turtle not the tail.

Answer 4

Tail biting: Separate your turtles! If you cannot take your turtle to a vet (yes, they do turtles too) please consider finding another home for your turtles. Pets deserve to recieve medical attention when they need it, and you should consider the cost of medical care when you obtain any pet, not just turtles. Also, it is very difficult for wounds to heal under water, and requires advice from an animal doctor. If you try to wait for it to heal, the turtle may get a serious infection. (I have two male turtles that must be separated at all times, or they will kill each other).

Cage issue: Obviously they do not have enough room. If your parents cannot get you another cage please rehome one of your turtles.

The only other thing you could do, which my vet suggested and it worked for me, was to put them both into a different tank so that neither turtle feels like it is "their" territory.

I had a mud turtle for about 4 or 5 years, and put another mud turtle in the tank. Teddy kept biting the new turtle, Oliver! So I moved them both to a new indoor pond and spend 2 full days hanging around the pond. Whenever Teddy moved up to Oliver to bite him, I would tap his shell to scare him. By the second day I would hide by the pond and I'd see Teddy move over to Oliver slowly, and then look up out of the water and look around to see if I was watching. I was, and I'd tap his shell again so he'd swim away. Finally, he stopped and they've been living together happily for 2 years!

Answer 5

First take Reeves turtle OUT immedility before the sliders kill it.
You can put the Reeves in the bathtub, a large bucket, a storage bin,etc .... Since they don't want to buy you another tank right now either look around (yard sale) for a small tank. you may find this for free or a couple of dollars. also you can buy a small tank no more than $20.

I bet you can find one for Free around your area even look in the paper

Answer 6

Stop asking on here and see a vet. Seperate your 2 turtles, just because they are both turtles does not mean they can or should live together. Reasearch your pets before you get them not after problems occur.
In your case the best place to keep the turtles would be in another person's home.

Answer 7

I know you said that you can't get another tank but that's your only option or you can get rid of one of them. So you have two choices, one get another tank or two find a home. Hope you can find a cheap tank for your little friend, good luck.

Answer 8

reptiles are funny ,if they grow up together and are familiar theremay not be a problem ,but strangers will end up hurting each other ,put a disinfectant on the tail and keep them apart

I had one crocodile that slept with his head on his turtle friend ,when i added some smaller crocodiles to keep him company he ate them.

Answer 9

you can put them by the window they need light ... !! i suggest that you put one of the turtles in some sort of large plastic container until you can get another tank!!!! separte them!!! instead of taking it to the vet try taking it to a pet store ... to see what they tell you !! their might be some over the counter medications you can by !!!

Answer 10

turtles carry salmonella a kitchen might not be the wisest place to keep them