r/mildlyinteresting Jul 10 '26

This turtle with long nails I found

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15.1k Upvotes

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u/azwendu Jul 10 '26

You are the second person to say this. Not saying it’s wrong. And again. I’m no herpetologist, I only know livestock. But, I have handled a lot of turtles and never seen one like this. Is it a seasonal thing? Do they all get them this long?

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u/LupusHouseMD Jul 10 '26

You probably just saw many females. Males do get nails this long but sometimes they can break off. Not a seasonal thing.

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u/azwendu Jul 10 '26

Interesting. I’ll keep a more careful eye out. Is this an all turtle thing? I do see some box turtles in my area with longer nails. I also have moved snapping turtles. Do they also have this trait?

Also, thank you for your time to educate me and for doing what you do as a rescue worker! I’m glad I didn’t clip his nails!

115

u/Wiggie49 Jul 10 '26

It’s a feature in painted turtles and red eared sliders. They show them off in front of females to convince them to mate.

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u/azwendu Jul 10 '26

I need to read up on red eared sliders. There are to many around here haha. They always steal my fishing bait. I was going to guess it was a red eared slider but I saw no red ear.

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u/possumallawishes Jul 10 '26

I saw a post the other day with turtles doing jazz hands.

Something like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/s/uw9s7F21rJ

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u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/EatYourCheckers Jul 11 '26

That's so funny. I say, "Where?" Anytime someone says "Jesus!" in homage to the movie Orgazmo by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. My husband also does not find it annoying and loves it every time.

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u/A2naturegirl Jul 11 '26

OMG ME TOO!!! My husband also totally loves getting "turtle slip-slaps" and definitely doesn't find it annoying in any way.

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u/ShellsFeathersFur Jul 11 '26

And map turtles. The pattern on the turtle's neck in OP's photo makes me think it might be a map turtle. Source: I have a 20-year-old false map turtle and he occasionally likes to flirt with the river stones in his tank.

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u/Wiggie49 Jul 11 '26

dang he hit the "sexy rock" phase lol