Turtle mating ritual

One turtle is intent on forcing the other below the water using his body and claws to block the other from rising. The waving of the claws is supposed to be sexy?

Answer from the aquarium
You actually observed the mating dance of these basking turtles. The males tend to be smaller than females. Males sport long straight claws which are used as part of the mating dance. After detecting what may be a pheromone signal while sniffing at a female's tail, a male cooter will court a female by swimming above her, vibrating his long nails and stroking her face. Females have also been observed doing this to initiate courtship. If the female is receptive, she will sink to the bottom and will allow the male to mount for mating.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• turtle
• Roanoke island aquarium
• nc

[bobistraveling]

I dont know. I have heard its very difficult to tell the sex of a turtle. You'll have to search the web or check with a naturalist at a park or on the web. I found out by emailing the aquarium after posting the video.

[rickydlp]

should've just bought her a drink

[TheSCstudios]

Your turtles ha a fungus by it's legs

[mancool124]

its amazing how many people typed in turtle sex

[Kameco312]

Are those painted turtles?

[donnie2164]

I was curiouse our turtels are doing this wierd little move. but there are both shaking thier little feet at each other.

[solarino32]

they are both male painted turtles...

Males have longer front claws and thicker and longer tails than females

[karinehardcore]

is it possible that two females does it one to another? cuz my turtles does and we think there both females

[sunnythebuddy]

what type of turtle are those my turtles do the same thing