Hello all. I’m proud to announce that Basil’s 1 year birthday was a few months ago and he is very doing well. However, as he is getting more mature (I believe he is reaching “puberty” as his claws are getting quite long and his tail is thickening) I think he’s hitting his “teenager phase.“

Lately, Basil has discovered that shredding things is the most fun thing EVER. I recently gave up on a live riparium design because of an incident where he nearly killed himself while I was on vacation (He shredded all his hornwort at once and clogged his filter. The petsitter didn’t notify me that it started to smell and was pretty rancid by the time I got home) and has recently taken to shredding (NOT EATING, to my knowledge) his plastic plants.

I have seen him at it once and found some small broken pieces around his tank. He shows a normal appetite and no signs of impaction, but it makes me worried nonetheless. I got him when he was a few days old at most from the wild (I understand this is unethical, Basil’s circumstances were abnormal.) And has never previously shown any interest in his plastic plants, and seems to have good intuition as to edible greens and non-edible decor. 

Its his favorite part of his tank, sadly, and he loves to sit in it and wait for food or stick his head in the bubbles, but I think it’s unfortunately time for it to go. It’s just not worth the risk of impaction, I think.

  
What do you all think? I’m purchasing some water hyacinth soon to see if it can outgrow his shredding impulses, and unfortunately his filter is already struggling so I think I’m planning to get a new one to try to keep up with his mess. Also, can anyone give me some confirmation on his sex? I know he’s really young but I think I’m seeing some male traits here.

Tl;Dr: My turtle is biting at his favorite plastic plants, I don’t think he’s eating them but I’m worried anyway. Also need filter recommendations for a very nasty turtle in a 65 gallon and some sex confirmation.

Is it time for the plastic plants to go?