My RES turtle hits himself in the eye sometimes when he swims. Is this normal?

Question

He hits his left eye with his hands when he swims into the tank (by that i mean that like he is swimming into the glass of the aquarium). His legs and hands are healthy, but when he hits his eye, he squints and im afraid he will hurt himself. Is this normal and is there anything i can do to make him stop?

Answer 1

my baby baby turtle does this ive watched him fore a wile now it is an axident and it could hurt him once in a wile but he will be ok in the wild the get alot more abuse then there own claw in the eye...
here are some things to look out fore thoe rednis, swelling, and any discolerations or swelling if u never se any of thoes then dont wory :p

Answer 2

He may have a mild eye infection, or be scratching at an injury.

Watch carefully for a film to develop, or for any signs of swelling. If they appear, go to the Medical Advice section of http://www.austinsturtlepage.com and look for the section on puffy eyes.

In the meantime, glass confuses turtles. Try covering some of the aquarium's glass, especially where it bumps it the most. Some keepers make up simple screens out of wrapping paper or nice fabric that they use to cover the glass when no one is around, then remove it when they want to watch the turtles.

Answer 3

He probably hurt the eye and is trying to rub it...also is you put something around the glass on the outside of the tank then he will not be able to see out and will stop trying to get past the glass.

Answer 4

Male turtles do a sort of mating dance for females by waving their long talons in front of the female's face. Do you think perhaps your turtle is a male and is in love with his reflection in the glass?

Answer 5

He may need to have his claws trimmed. Heres an article that covers how to trim nails and beaks on sliders. http://www.turtlecare.net/beak.htm