Habitat - Indoor :: RES trying to climb out of tank.

[dandte]

Hey guys! This is my first post!

My RES is trying to escape her tank. She keeps pulling her self up on the sides of the tank. We use a Penn Plax Turtle Topper and in order for her to reach the ramp to bask we have to fill the water to the fill line or right below the fill line on the ramp, which means she can reach the edge of the tank if she stretches.

We currently have a piece of plexi glass on top of where the turtle topper does not cover but she's still trying to get out where the plexi does not cover. Any ideas on how to cover this area? One the side with the filter tubes and heater I could just cut holes so it would fit flush with the side but the ramp side is where I don't know what to do. Thanks any help would be really appreciated.

[steve]

Hi dandte! I think a larger piece that is cut to fit is a good idea. And just as a precaution, I'd feel for any eggs incase she might be gravid. Gravid females are known to aggressively attempt escapes.

[dandte]

Hi dandte! I think a larger piece that is cut to fit is a good idea. And just as a precaution, I'd feel for any eggs incase she might be gravid. Gravid females are known to aggressively attempt escapes.

Thanks for your response Steve. I checked and it appears that she is in fact Gravid. We bought some stuff to make a quick nesting box and we put her in it. She's been in it for maybe an hour and I went to check on her and she has completely buried herself in the nesting material. Is this normal? Thanks again!

[steve]

Nope, she's stressed (or cold/hot). Put here in there when she's showing her gravid signs... but these have a low success rate.