Turtles usually have a relaxed, and almost ancient demeanor. If the animal starts to act out of character, if it starts being mean, then you’d understandably start to worry
This article is an exploration of why this happens.
Table of Contents
Why is my turtle mean?
Your pet’s temperament is usually a sign of how the animal is doing, so, a change in temperament will understandably pique your interest.
If your pet’s usual slow-laced grace and peaceful nature changes and you notice a tempter, or outbursts then you’d need to quickly figure out why this is happening.
Here is why this may be going on with your turtle:
Inadequate environment:
Turtles are influenced by a lot of things, including their environment, if your pet’s environment is not adequate, if the animal doesn’t have enough food, space, if its water quality is bad, or if there are loud noises in the environment then your pet may start to become aggressive and even mean
What to do:
Creating a peaceful environment that is suitable for the animals is a must.
This will involve making sure that the animal has enough food and water, making sure that its water is clean, making sure that there is enough space in the enclosure, and making sure that the temperature of the enclosure is adequate.
Health issues:
Illness and other health issues can make your pet mean.
Turtles are solitary by nature, they like to be by themselves all the time but they will live with others if they have to and if they have enough resources.
However, they will be less willing to live with other turtles if they are sick.
Sick turtles want to be left alone and if they aren’t left alone they may start to become irritated and mean as this is a way of defending themselves in their sick state.
What to do:
Your pet will need to be taken to the vet, for an examination and diagnosis.
The vet will physically examine the turtle, run tests on the animal, and then diagnose the animal. If treatment is available then your vet will be able to treat the animal of its condition.
Personality or species variation:
Your pet may be mean because that’s simply the way it is, either because the turtle species is mean or because your pet has a mean demeanor.
Certain species, like snapping turtles, will be meaner than other species of turtles. This makes them more prone to defensive-type behaviors.
Other turtles may simply be mean, turtles are just like humans and have diverse personalities and the one you’re raising may simply be mean.
What to do:
There is nothing you can really do in this case, if your pet is mean then that is simply just as it is, you can try to get the animal to bond and like you or bond and like the other turtles but this may or may not happen
In this case, you’ll just have to live with your mean turtle or rehome it
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Turtle Swollen Foot, Why Does My Turtle Stretch His Neck And Open His Mouth, Why Is My Turtle Weak?, Why Is My Turtle Whining, Why Is My Turtle Water Brown, Why Is My Turtle Water Red?, Why Is My Turtle Water Yellow?, Why Is My Turtle Wheezing?, Why Is My Turtle Walking In Circles
