Biting my turtles neck

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have 2 sliders who are both about 3 years old now. I've had them for about a year now, for their first 2 years they lived with other owners. I'm not sure if their girls or boys or both, but their the same age and one is bigger then the other by an inch maybe. I have been taking good care of them but just lately my biggest turtle is acting up some.

My biggest turtle has been biting the top of my other turltes neck in the same place and is actually taking little pieces of it off!
I don't know why he/she is doing this but the smaller turtles always tries to hide from it when the bigger one comes around. The bigger turtle isn't leaving the smaller one alone lately and keeps trying to snap at the neck again.

What should I do, why is he/she doing this, and how long will it last?

Please help me a.s.a.p., before it gets too serious.

ANSWER: Hi Sasha,

These two turtles must be separated. This is not "ok" behavior and serious injury can result.

You may have two males in which case will fight to the death over territory.

It can also be considered mating behavior however if the larger one wants to mate with the smaller one then you will see other mating behaviors. That and if the smaller is female and the larger is male and he wants to mate and she is running away. Serious injury can happen as well. Male turtles are very persistant when it comes to mating. He CAN hurt her.

Separate them as soon as possible.

If you would like help on telling apart the gender let me know.
Good luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for reply!

Also I figured out they are both males. I bought these 2 turtles from other owners and they gave me the tank and everything, so right now I have a 20 gallon tank, and yes I know I need a bigger one. So I was wondering, should I just buy a totally different tank or if I bought a bigger tank in general, would that be a little better? And gave them each a hiding spot, do you think he would ease-up a little?

Thanks for reading.

Answer
Hi Sasha, you are welcome I am glad I could help.

Two males no matter how big of tank can not be housed together. Especially if they are showing signs of aggression. Even with hides one turtle will constantly be bullied and eventually stop eating and get sick because of it.

Your best bet is to buy a completely new setup with new heat, new tank, new basking area, new lights, etc.

But the twenty gallon will still need to be upgraded as soon as possible.

Look on craigslist.org for cheap/free tanks of all sizes.

Good luck
Yexalen