My wife and I have a red-eared slider turtle that my wife got over ten years ago. He's always been fed by hand, and he has always been solitary...no other turtles with him.
Well, he used to be friendly. He would let you hold him in your palm, he would poke his head out and let you pet the top of his head. Great little guy.
However, over the past few years, he has gotten a bit ornery! If you try to pick him up, he'll retreat into his shell, and occasionally stick his head out and "snap" at you. If you look at him eye to eye, he pulls his head as far in as it will go, and keeps his mouth slighly open as if he is ready to bite.
How can we make him friendly again? Is there any method for bringing a turtle "out of his shell" so to speak?
We miss his being friendly, that's all.
2007-02-21 05:20:54 · 5 answers · asked by MOOCH 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well it may be due to his age. The turtle probably has never mate, and his instinct is telling the turtle something that she doesn't understand (So to speak). This can cause some stress over the animal, Reptiles tend to be more stressful than other animals. Try to check if the turtle is male or female, that behavior tends to happen on Sexually Mature Males that have never breed.
Hope this helps. Also you can check out with your veterinarian, she might be sick and not felling so well (minor Pains), that could also cause stress and aggressiveness.
2007-02-21 05:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by skandulf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to tell you this, but healthy turtles do not trust humans and do not like being handled. You would not like or trust a giant alien that wanted to pick you up for what appeared to be no good reason, would you?
Check out the care issues at http://www.redearslider.com or http://www.austinsturtlepage.com Make sure that the habitat is OK- that will help as well.
2007-02-21 22:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found with sliders the older they get the more ornery they get.
The only thing I can think to do it to keep trying to handle him, and offer him goodies from your fingers
2007-02-21 13:29:54 · answer #3 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes time. Keep handling it, and moving in slowly, like stroking its hands while it's in the shell. After some time it should get more friendly.
2007-02-21 21:12:24 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i don't think you can count on answers from inexperienced people, you should take him to a vet...
2007-02-21 13:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by xxxxxxx 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋