I have had 2 red foots for over 10 years now. Just this year, I bought them a mate, and had encountered some puzzling issues. First off, the 2 females I have came from the same clutch. Today, one is slightly larger than the other, but I blame competition as they have been housed together their entire life.
The new male actively seeks out one of the females, while she appears to void him until they meet, then they exchange head movements. The other female approaches him and attempts to bite his head (separate occasion). I am confused as she LOOKS like a female, even compared to the other female and male. Small tail, smooth carapace, no hour-glass figure, etc. The 2 females look identical except for size (one 8 inch, other 9) I have only seen him push her (not ramming) once as he wanted to get away. I am going to separate them until they calm down for now.
Just wondering if this is normal behavior even for a female? This seems to be male behavior to me. Perhaps its just an initial meeting behavior? I was going to take a picture of her, but she had already turned in for the night.
The new male actively seeks out one of the females, while she appears to void him until they meet, then they exchange head movements. The other female approaches him and attempts to bite his head (separate occasion). I am confused as she LOOKS like a female, even compared to the other female and male. Small tail, smooth carapace, no hour-glass figure, etc. The 2 females look identical except for size (one 8 inch, other 9) I have only seen him push her (not ramming) once as he wanted to get away. I am going to separate them until they calm down for now.
Just wondering if this is normal behavior even for a female? This seems to be male behavior to me. Perhaps its just an initial meeting behavior? I was going to take a picture of her, but she had already turned in for the night.