Why do turtles slap each other?

Some behaviors that turtles show now and then are surely entertaining. They, for example, stack on each other (Why do turtles stack?), ram things, or even headbutt other representatives of their species. Another interesting phenomenon that some of the owners noticed is slapping. If you wonder why they do that and what is the reasoning behind it, then I’ve come with some answers.

Turtles slapping each other is caused either by affection they want to express to another turtle or, on the contrary, by the need to show dominance over each other. Though it is rather normal to see turtles slapping each other, we should remember that some causes for this activity are good. Like males slapping females due to affection. However, in other cases it may be the result of the aggression towards the competition.

As a result of that, we may look for ways to stop such behavior, so the other reptile doesn’t feel bullied all the time. To know, you should learn the true reason behind slapping. In this article I would like to share my own experience with slapping, because I’ve been dealing with many different versions of it – starting from mating attempts by the males, through playful actions, and ending on pure aggression and show of force. 

First of all, the mating

If you have two turtles – one is a male, the other is a female – and they both reached maturity not that long ago, then the male will probably begin his mating ritual. It may include headbutting, nipping the neck of a turtle, or slapping the face of his chosen one. In that case, slapping should not be interfered with or stopped. Nor should you look for ways of stopping such a phenomenon. It is completely normal and harmless behavior that with time will end. 

Secondly, playing

If both turtles are in their juvenile years, then slapping is probably simply playing. Contrary to adults, these reptiles may find it amusing to slap each other from time to time. However, it mostly happens when they are still young. Later on, they become much more solitary animals and, therefore, such actions would be considered as hostile. This is also something we should not be worried about – especially if the pets have not reached their maturity.

Lastly, aggression

It is with great sorrow that I say that, from time to time, turtles may begin fights. Usually, it happens because of not enough area for the turtles to be, the competition for food resources, or simply due to the territorial claims one pet may have over the place they both like. No matter the situation, aggressive turtles may hurt each other quite badly. They bite, they ram, they even headbutt each other if that’s a case. 

However, some people also noticed that before they “bring up the big guns”, they start off with something small. One of such examples is slapping. If you see an adult male turtle that slaps another male turtle, then it may be to show dominance over the other turtle. Such situations can be dangerous, because they may escalate and lead to serious problems. 

What to do if my turtles are slapping each other?

If this is the result of mating or playing, then you are perfectly fine leaving it as it is. However, in the case of aggression, I recommend solving the problem before it gets bloody. Usually, slapping and other aggressive behaviors are caused by overcrowding. It means that too small space for two or more turtles will make them upset. You see, these reptiles are very territorial and they can attack others without looking whether it is a male, a female, or a juvenile. 

Therefore, make sure that the tank you keep your turtles in is big enough. Some people say that it should be 10 gallons of water per 1 inch of turtle’s shell. So, if you have three 5-inch turtles, then your tank should contain 150 gallons of water. Besides that, turtles like to fight because of food, so if a turtle thinks that the competition will eat everything without leaving something for it, then this might be another cause of problems. Think about providing each turtle with separate meals. 

Now you know how to deal with turtles that slap each other!

Generally, slapping others is something most turtles do just because they wish to show affection or just to play with others. However, if we have adult, male turtles that do the slapping, then usually it is a showcase of what may come next – meaning biting, ramming, headbutting, and some other things that turtles usually do when they wish to show dominance over other turtles.

The best way to solve the issue of slapping is to take a closer look at details of the turtles’ habitat. Isn’t it too small? Or perhaps there are some other factors that influence its behavior like, for example, not enough places to sun bask? 

Obviously, bear in mind that slapping is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it is just a playful behavior shown by juvenile turtles. In some other cases this might be a way for a male turtle to show his interest (Ineresteing facts// why do turtles headbutt?) with a female. In such cases, you should not intervene, since this is definitely harmless thing to do.