How Much Sex is too Much?

oneilmatt

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Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm getting both sides of the spectrum here so I'm not 100% sure what to do haha. I have decided that I will divide the enclosure with cinder blocks until I can get more advice and decide what actions to take.

Just went out there again minutes ago, and he was on top of her yet again. I am getting quite nervous after reading all of these replies, and I feel like it's better safe than sorry.
 

Tom

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Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm getting both sides of the spectrum here so I'm not 100% sure what to do haha. I have decided that I will divide the enclosure with cinder blocks until I can get more advice and decide what actions to take.

Just went out there again minutes ago, and he was on top of her yet again. I am getting quite nervous after reading all of these replies, and I feel like it's better safe than sorry.
I think this is the smart way to go. If you separate them, no harm can be done. If you leave them together, the harassment your female is receiving could make her sick or kill her.
 

Blackdog1714

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Just imagine someone bigger than you constantly bumping into you and tapping you on the head. That’s a recipe for a bad day! Smart to separate them further evaluate
 

Eric Phillips

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Tom is correct on this one...there are some males that are just way too aggressive and dominant. I have a 3 toed male that will fight with any other 3 toed male and will excessively mate with only one of my females. He injured one of the other males leg last year and needed to be separated for good. He did great with the Gulf Coast males at the end of last year and had no issues. I put him back in the 3 toed enclosure this year just to see his behavior...same aggressiveness...put him back with the Gulf Coast males...nothing.
 

oneilmatt

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Tom is correct on this one...there are some males that are just way too aggressive and dominant. I have a 3 toed male that will fight with any other 3 toed male and will excessively mate with only one of my females. He injured one of the other males leg last year and needed to be separated for good. He did great with the Gulf Coast males at the end of last year and had no issues. I put him back in the 3 toed enclosure this year just to see his behavior...same aggressiveness...put him back with the Gulf Coast males...nothing.
So it's possible that he is just a jerk? It's just so strange, I've had them for nearly 3 months and only in the past week or so have I noticed this behavior.

Interestingly enough, when I came back from Lowe's with the blocks, the male was sideways because she had locked one of his legs inside her closed hinge. Took me submerging them to get her to release. I guess she really was tired of his ****!
 

Tom

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So it's possible that he is just a jerk? It's just so strange, I've had them for nearly 3 months and only in the past week or so have I noticed this behavior.

Interestingly enough, when I came back from Lowe's with the blocks, the male was sideways because she had locked one of his legs inside her closed hinge. Took me submerging them to get her to release. I guess she really was tired of his ****!
Well... I stand by my original advice. Hope his leg is okay.
 

Blackdog1714

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Maybe she is part Coyote! Shouldn't be surprised she did that even my wife has her limits!
 

Maro2Bear

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Hhmmm. I have personally seen a male aggressively mounting a female box turtle to the point of inflicting injury and bullying other males in the group. I don’t think it is accurate or reliable to say.that “they are incapable of hurting each other”

They certainly can hurt other turtles while in smaller enclosures.
 

mark1

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my enclosure is around 500 square feet , it's where a 24' above ground pool was , the deck post became the fence post ….... after being out there yesterday and thinking about it , i'm certain there are 2 females and 6 males , i'm sure I have pictures of them all ......… some of those turtles been in there a long time …….. I put food in there , they eat it or don't , I take whatever is left out at night , I change their water every few days , and take pictures of them when I see them , it helps me monitor their health …I never pick them up unless I suspect something is wrong ………… I've seen males with their feet caught as described , I believe it's not uncommon , or tied and laying on their backs behind the female , unable to right themselves , I've done nothing about any of it , they seem to work it out ……. the oldest male and female have been here a long time , the other female at least 7-8yrs probably/maybe more ……… the surviving hatchlings in that pen are at least 7-9yrs old , and males ……….all the males in that pen are old enough to breed , the only two I've seen breed are the two largest males with the glowing blood red eyes , i'm guessing that's got something to do with hormones …. they don't bother each other , I've never seen the two of at the same time …… I seen both females today getting sun with 3 males ……… as far as being incapable of hurting each other , possibly I've not confined them in a small enough space to experience that …….



FWIW - I do agree with @mark1 on this one. I do not see a problem.

your opinion contradictory or affirmative I find of great value


I knew a transplant doctor , and in answer to the original question , he would tell his patients to have lots of sex ………..
 

Pastel Tortie

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Tom is correct on this one...there are some males that are just way too aggressive and dominant. I have a 3 toed male that will fight with any other 3 toed male and will excessively mate with only one of my females. He injured one of the other males leg last year and needed to be separated for good. He did great with the Gulf Coast males at the end of last year and had no issues. I put him back in the 3 toed enclosure this year just to see his behavior...same aggressiveness...put him back with the Gulf Coast males...nothing.
I only have one box turtle, a young female Gulf Coast... So I'm curious... Isn't the size and temperament of the Gulf Coast males enough to keep a (comparatively) little three-toed male in line? ;) If the three-toed male were being a brat, couldn't the Gulfies just sit on him or something? :D
 

nandusnandus

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upload_2019-9-2_13-56-43.jpegI
I assume this looks similar to the "leg trapped in shell" event you spoke of. This is typical box turtle breeding behavior. This embrace is often, but not always indicative of a successful union. I would not soak or otherwise disconnect them in the future. That will definitely stress them.
 

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oneilmatt

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I assume this looks similar to the "leg trapped in shell" event you spoke of. This is typical box turtle breeding behavior. This embrace is often, but not always indicative of a successful union. I would not soak or otherwise disconnect them in the future. That will definitely stress them.
Ok thank you. I just assumed he would be stuck like that for hours if I didn't step in.
 

Flora Belle's keeper

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Hi! I do not have nearly the experience as Mark1 above with box turtles! However, I do remember a time many years ago when i put a wild box turtle with my then female pet box turtle together in a large outdoor pen, both were eastern boxies. Within minutes the male climbed my female and to my surprise bit her on top of the head between the eyes. It caused a lot of bleeding and a vet trip. She was OK after a few days but with a rather deep wound. He was very aggressive! I do not know why. There were no other turtles present. It taught me that you just never know how they will interact. He was released. This was before it became illegal to keep them in my state, i was young then and didn’t know then the harm of keeping them. Would not keep this breed now, instead advocate “here” to keep them wild.
 

Flora Belle's keeper

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Sorry, the above response was more for the first page I read but i missed the second. I have also seen the leg locked position for mating. Leave alone and all will be fine. I agree with nandusnandus.
 

nandusnandus

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Ok thank you. I just assumed he would be stuck like that for hours if I didn't step in.
For what it's worth, you are correct about the "hours." I've seen mine in this position for hours at a time. Apparently, box turtles have great endurance. :)
 

oneilmatt

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Well I'm at my wits end. The male managed to climb over twice today. I removed him to his side and plugged what I thought was the gap, just went out to find that the FEMALE HAD CLIMBED TO HIS SIDE. He was on top of her both times. I believe now my only course of action is to return him to the breeder. He has already agreed to take him back if necessary. I just cant deal with this anymore, the constant worrying.
 
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