Here is Louie, a 6 year old CB male EBT, attempting to mate with Sonny, a very old male EBT. Louie has consistently ignored the 3 female adult EBTs in the habitat, as well as the other adult male EBT. He steadfastly pursues Sonny, much to Sonny's consternation. My outdoor habitat is quite large, nearly 200 square feet, with plenty of visual barriers (shrubs, logs, etc). When Louie is pursuing Sonny and I pull them apart, place them at opposite ends of enclosure, Louie will literally RUN the length of the enclosure until he finds Sonny again, and attempt mating vigorously. Last year I chalked it up to youthful exuberance, but now I am convinced Louie is a monogamous homosexual box turtle. I have been breeding box turtles for over a decade in this habitat and never seen anything like this. Of course homosexuality is a natural phenomenon and has been reported in most animal species, however, it is kind of cool to see it so well defined in this monogamous EBT of mine.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/54176LouieSonnyMate-med.jpg

OK, kinda cool how? In a scientific sorta way? :dunno: It a little weird to me :lmao:. I'd be worried about the poor boy.

Louie is a bad turtle. :lmao:
Sonny better keep his box closed. :o

I wonder what would happen if you removed Sonny.

Dan

Am I the only one who notices the giant tail in the top left corner? John, I have to ask...is that a snapping turtle, baby dinosaur, or just a realistic lawn ornament?

That is hysterical! Love it! At least he's enamored with another turtle, I had a side neck that would only mate with the intake tube on the water filter. Ignored the girls, just loved that tube...
And yeah, what's the tail?

Louie is a bad turtle. :lmao:
Sonny better keep his box closed. :o

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

In Louie's defense, Sonny does have a pretty shell : ) And in John's defense, I also think it's kinda cool. (In a scientific way)

I have seen boxies do that, but it wasn't mating behavior, it was territorial behavior. Just because you have visual barriers does not take away the scent issues. Some male boxies are uber territorial, while others are happy to share their habitat. I am betting if you remove the older male, the younger guy will start behaving "normally".

You have a good point Jenea, but after watching these EBTs for over a decade I think I have something more unique going on here. There is a huge difference between males sparring/fighting for dominance and copulation attempts. I have watched these EBTs in our outdoor habitat (right below my kitchen window, allowing frequent, easy observations), and I have witnessed well over a hundred copulations as well as sparring behavior, and this is different. Louie gets his hind legs clasped under Sonny, and attempts to copulate. This is very different from the bumping, frontal biting, ramming response of the males seen when sparring or attempting to establish dominance. Yes, males will sometimes climb on top of one another for dominance, but not to the exclusion of females. Louie's copulation attempts with Sonny are to the exclusion of the females. He has done it now for two years in a row, consistently. Granted, he is a young turtle and this might be a "phase", but either way I haven't personally witnessed this to such a level before. I understand that taking out the submissive male (Sonny) might allow some different observations, however, I think there is actually more empirical validity to my conclusion with Sonny in the habitat.


John, I have to ask...is that a snapping turtle, baby dinosaur, or just a realistic lawn ornament?

Yes...it is a very realistic looking alligator ceramic that I have in the habitat...I'll put a photo of it on this thread if I get some time.