Habitat - Indoor :: Could i fill a tub with sand for my turtle to roam? Help.

[Matthew V.]

I let him walk around my room just my mom doesn't like it xD

[steve]

When doing that, he needs to be carefully cleaned since things on your floor could be a problem (bits of food, hair, etc).

[Matthew V.]

ok also to measure the basking temp would i put a thermometer on his dock while he is out of his tank?

[Matthew V.]

also what kind of thermometer do you recommend?

[Matthew V.]

cool he likes dandelion leaves might just plant them in his tank.

[steve]

Get the lcd plastic strip kind. Most kinds made for aquariums should be fine.

[Matthew V.]

ok

[Matthew V.]

could i hand feed him lettuce out of the water?

[Matthew V.]

or does he need to be in water?

[Matthew V.]

He hates beening in my room he just waits by the door wanting to go outside

[Samuel T Jackson]

About feeding out of water: I've read that turtles need to eat in water because they don't produce saliva that would help them break down the food.

I think the waiting by the door is just standard turtle behavior--they're always trying to explore and see what's out there, and maybe he's decided he knows your room well enough already. You'll probably run into the same problem if you set up a sand enclosure for him too; and you'll need to watch him the whole time to make sure he doesn't escape, flip upside down without being able to right himself, etc.

If you're worried about him being bored, try one of those floating plastic toys that dispenses food (I've found a fish and a ball that you put pellet food in at Petsmart and Petco--the food comes out of holes in the side of the toy when they push it hard enough). And like Steve said, they'll feel more comfortable in a tank that's the right size for them (10 gallons per inch of shell length from top to bottom); mine was excited to explore when he got upgraded to a 40 gallon tank, and then again when I built him an enclosed area to bask above the tank.

[Matthew V.]

Thanks just my mom will only let him crawl on my floor. And i wanted some sand so he can dig since he loves digging outside.

[Matthew V.]

dave is very tired after playing outside. he is sleeping soundly and i turned his lights of but it woke him oh and he is asleep already just got some and and went to sleep hes so cute .