Playing or Fighting??

[turtledudeusa]

Hey

As most of you probably do, I enjoy a good caesar salad with crisp Romaine Lettuce every once in a while. It seems to me that turtles have a stronger fondness for the lettuce. I feed my turtles about one leaf of lettuce daily. To make it easier to eat, I usually break it into smaller peices. If one turtle has a peice, and the other eyes it, she MUST have it. They chase one another around the tank, one trying to protect their food, the other trying to steal it. I could almost understand this if they were fighting over the last peice, but they usually attack one another when there are many other peices of lettuce floating at the water's surface. As soon as they realize this, they leave one another alone...for a while. At first I thought what they were doing was cute/commical. Now I'm beginning to wonder if they are going to hurt one another. I know that lots of other animals "play" in a way that seems aggressive, but is it normal for turtles as well? Snoopy&Droopy get along fine, with the exception of feeding time. They bask together, and sleep within arm's reach of one another. Are they actually fighting? Will they get worse? Is this normal behavior? Should I feed them seperatly?

Thanks,
turtledudeusa

[Chrysemys]

They are just protective of thier food. Its an insticnt... To solve the problem I would just feed them in seperately.
Chris

Thats right Chez... Im no trader!

[Chez]

Well look who finally decided to come back.. lol.
Was going to send a search party- for everyone ;D

I agree, feed them both in seperate containers outside the tank. This will also keep your tank cleaner.
[glow=blue,2,300]:Chez[/glow]

[turtledudeusa]

Thanks guys...thats what I figured! I'll have to rig something together!

[Jinx]

Well, I find removing them to feed in separaate containers stresses them out, unless younger or use to it...my guys wont do it. Buggers

Anyways, so what I did was, use a piece of plexiglass and use it as a barrier (cut tank in two) and feed each on separate sides. I had to stand there and hold it during feeding, but i am sure some sort of something can be added to make it hold its own. Most of their food floats, right, so just divide the maybe 6-8 inches of top water part.

They (turtles) are not incredibly smart, but are quick enough to figure it out. I;d worry when they fight constantly for no real good reason.

Hope this helps