PetTurtle.com

[DallasNJezzie]

slap each other? I have two RES and throughout the day they slap each other. They both get face to face and slap each other with their front feet and I was just wondering if this was normal behavior? Is it a territorial thing or are they playing? Thanks!!

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

That is what they call the "turtle dance", mostly believed to be a mating thing, but if they are young it could just be practice, and yes it is normal even if it is done to a rock or another inanimate object.

[anonymousturtlehelper]

It's called "fluttering". Along with it being part of the mating ritual, it is also thought to be a sign of dominance, so keep an eye out for aggression. Also, both males and females do it so it is not an indication of sex.

[DallasNJezzie]

Ohhh okay! I haven't been able to sex my turtles yet, I think they're too young. I thought for awhile they were both females but now I'm thinking they may both be males. But like I said I can't tell what they are yet, lol.

[anonymousturtlehelper]

They'll be sexable at around 4-5 inches SCL. Sometimes you can tell at 3 like with my males. lol If you post some pics of their tails (preferably with tail extended so we can see the cloaca) and foreclaws, we may be able to sex them for you.