Why Do Red-Eared Sliders Shake Their Hands? The Real Reason

Your turtle may look like it's waving hello, but there's more to it. It's not shivering, it's not swimming badly. If the red-eared slider extends its front legs forward and flicks its long claws in front of another turtle's face, it is engaging in an ancient turtle language.

Keepers call it "shaking hands", "waving" or claw fluttering. It's funny but it has a clear message. The key is to understand who's doing it, and who it's for.

Let's take a look at each one now.

This is the classic reason. Adult male red-eared sliders grow much longer front claws than females. These are claws designed for this display.

The male swims in front of the female, often facing her, and fluttering his claws close to her head and face. It's a means to catch her attention. Some experts also think it may help direct his scent towards her. Mating may then take place if the female is interested. If she is not, she simply swims away, and he may try again later.

This is a natural behaviour in a home tank. It is not a sign of any problem.

Claw fluttering isn't just about love. Males sometimes flutter at other males. In this context, the display appears to be a dominance signal, a turtle equivalent of 'I am the boss here!'.

It sometimes just stops there. Occasionally it escalates into a confrontation. That's the one you want to watch.

Many owners are surprised to see a tiny slider flutter its claws, long before it is old enough to breed. This can also be done by young turtles. It is usually interpreted as a dominance display or as early practice (not true courtship).

On its own, it is nothing to worry about.

A turtle tank is a little world. Problems start when one turtle cannot get away from another. Step in if you see:

In these cases, separate the turtles. A divider or a second tank may be needed. Females that are chased by males all the time can get stressed and injured.

Do not stop any normal fluttering. But you can lower tension in the tank:

Red-eared sliders are not native to India. They are kept as exotic pets, and they are listed among the world's worst invasive species by the IUCN's invasive species group. A released slider will damage local ponds and turtles. So if you can no longer care for one, never let it go into a lake or temple tank. Instead, call a rescue organization or reptile veterinarian.

Laws on exotic and wild pets in India can be strict too. Before you bring any new species home, read our post about [animals prohibited as pets in India](https://zaanvar.com/dog/5-animals-prohibited-as-pets-in-india-avoid-legal-trouble/256/) to avoid legal trouble.

Turtles are not the only tank pets with mysterious habits. If you also have fish, read [why goldfish change colour](https://zaanvar.com/fish/why-do-goldfish-change-color/9020/), another odd behaviour that befuddles new fish owners.

So, why do red eared sliders shake their hands? Most of the time, an adult male is flirting. In some cases, a turtle is asserting its territory. And sometimes a young slider is just trying out a move it will use later. Enjoy the show, but keep an eye out for biting, chasing and injuries. That is the moment a turtle "handshake" stops being cute and starts needing your help.