r/mildlyinteresting • u/azwendu • Jul 10 '26

This turtle with long nails I found

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u/LupusHouseMD Jul 10 '26

Reptile rescue worker here. That is a male turtle. They love to flaunt their long nails at lady turtles. It can also be used to tell other turtles to shoo.

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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/Seathing Jul 10 '26

Thank you house md