Angry red eared slider turtle?

Question

I have a red eared slider turtle...still small maybe 3 inches long. Anyway I dont know if its a boy or a girl but the turtle shows aggression alot. Makes hissing noises sometimes but doesn't try to bite. Also when I get close to its tank it gets exited and swims really fast. Its aggressive all the time watching everything....any ideas to what it could be??

Answer 1

Sounds like a healthy, alert turtle to me.

Hissing is not aggression.  This is getting rid of air in the lungs, so he can duck his head in (defensive action for the turtle).  It means he's afraid of you, not being aggressive towards you.

Aggression towards you is open mouth, and snapping to grab a finger.

Move more slowly, when taking him from the tank.  Talk to him first.  Move your hand into the water, touch him (pet his shell, stroke a leg), and then talk to him as you lift him.  Hissing is "I'm scared."

It takes time to develop trust, but you can't undo instinct, either.  He will be insecure out of the water.  I often just hold mine right at the water level, not lifting right way, and just talking to them.  They get relaxed and as I lift them a minute later, I cup the other hand under them, so they can stand on my hand.  Most don't "freak" at all.

Just go slow, and develop trust with your turtle.

The frantic swimming at the glass is normal, too.  He's just conning you, vying for attention, to see if he can wheedle an extra meal.

Determining Gender:

http://members.shaw.ca/turtles/sexing.ht...

http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Turtle-...

Enjoy your pet, and I hope this has been helpful.