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Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:21 am
by michaelg
This is in response to my I think I need a bigger basking log... post. I found this great log to use to extend the existing basking log. I wish I found this log when I redid the pond back in March. It is perfect. It's completely hollow, but it still has thick walls, so it should last a couple years. It has several large knots that allow the turtles to swim into the log as another hiding spot.

Here's a few pictures:

Martha peeking out:
Image

Sweeney and Pascal check it out first:
Image

Now it's Martha and Sweeney's turn:
Image

All three of them getting some rays:
Image

They are a bit more skittish than when they the unextended log, but that will change in time. They definitely seem to enjoy having the hollow log to investigate.

-Michael

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:57 am
by devilduck
Looks great!

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:32 pm
by Listen97
Looks like they are liking it. Good to see them use if so fast.

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:14 pm
by steve
Very nice! I could watch that for a few hours :)

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:12 am
by Gracie Turts
really cool find. is the log free floating? or is there something attached?

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:14 am
by michaelg
Steve - I actually do watch it for hours (cumulative anyway). It's great watching them as they climb up, try to find a suitable location, climb back down or turn around and then take out another turtle trying to find the right spot. Then watch them all scatter for no apparent reason.

Gracie - the log is attached to the main basking log. Since it is hollow, it slipped over the main basking log and then I screwed it in place with a few decking screws.

Thanks,

-Michael

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:46 pm
by Moose
Log is great and your turtles look extremely happy!!! Is Martha a YBS or a cooter?

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:40 pm
by slider_keeper
do you notice how even with the larger basking area they still bunch together? I see this in the wild all the time

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:59 am
by Listen97
Yeah at my parents pond they have several that clump on top of each other even though they have a huge log to spread out on. I believe its for protection same as any other animal, danger comes, they all fall in lol

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:43 am
by steve
Even with multiple basking spots, they like to bask together. I agree it's probably for safety or additional warmth. :)

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:17 am
by slider_keeper
yeah I agree with both of you, protection and warmth makes alot of sense to me:)

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:50 pm
by sweety10189110
Those are some awesome photos MichaelG!!!!! I especially love the 2nd photo. They look so regal :) .

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:34 am
by michaelg
Hey all, thanks for the positive responses. I've been MIA for the past month or so and missed all the responses from July! Sorry about that.

Moose - Martha is a Yellow Bellied Slider

Slider_keeper - Usually they bask clumped together, but they rarely stack on top of each other like I see in the wild often. Sometimes, one of the little guys will bask on the original log.

Sweety - Thanks! I take so many pictures. I just love to sit and watch them. I just wish they'd come out and bask while I'm outside, I could get so many more great photos. Any picture I post is from behind windows while in the house.

-Michael

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 3:36 pm
by happycamper
Awesome setup! I'm a little jealous...

Re: Extended the basking log...

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 3:52 pm
by michaelg
Thanks Happycamper.

-Michael