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Hi everyone, I'm trying to get an appropriate basking spot for my hatchling and I'm having a difficult time. I bought a turtle basking "landing" from petsmart, but not only do the suction cups not hold it, my turtle won't touch it. I was hoping you guys would have some suggestions on something that is a good size for a hatchling... thanks!!

I've used the landing and the zoo med turtle docks. I prefer the docks. Either way it usually took at least a few days before they'd get on it.

my turtles will not bask when anyone is in the room. they will bask when it feels safe so maybe cover the basking area?

thanks... perhaps a few days and the landing will grow on Leo, I just worry he doesn't bask enough, I've already covered his tank around where he basks but that doesn't seem to comfort him much, he's so shy!!

take him out and hold him...let him exsplore if possible let him see other people he will be more tollorent of people when he grows up and he will assosiate you with food

I'm not sure that holding your turtle is the answer. Most people on here do not hold their turtles unless changing the water.

Is it possible that your basking temp isn't high enough, or that your water temp is too high? Either of the can cause the turtle to not bask.

Andrew7769 wrote:take him out and hold him...let him exsplore if possible let him see other people he will be more tollorent of people when he grows up and he will assosiate you with food

I have to disagree with this ... a turtle isn't the same as a dog or cat. I've had my turtles for 2 years.. the female is very friendly and not afraid of me.. except when she's basking. It's natural for them to "slide" in the water when someone comes by as they are usually the prey and we are rather big looking predators. Some turtles become more stressed by being out of their enviroment and it could only create more problems.

As for the basking area, check the temperature as suggested and make sure it's approximately 10 degrees warmer than the water.. 88-90 is good. I tried the turtle landing thing from Petsmart but had no luck with them at all.

my basking area is about 86-88 degrees with the lamp on, and the water is a constant 76-77 so i'm not thinking that the water is so warm he has no reason to explore the basking spot, i added a suction cup with leaves on it a few days back and since then he's been constantly under or around that, he really just seems to like hiding? but he eats and his shell doesnt seem very soft so i guess i just have a shy guy and there isn't much to change about that as long as he's healthy right?

New turtles, especially hatchlings are usually skittish. Do give them more privacy and covering the sides of the tank would help. I use a solid color shower curtain and plain carboard if I have too.

Is this the so called Turtle Landing?


It doesn't look easy for the turtle to access.

This is a basking area that worked well for me before:

oh that looks much more stable! where did you buy it? and yes, that other picture is the "landing" that I have now...

thanks!

I forgot where I bought mine, but you can find it online at Petco and at Big Al's Online. Big Al's has the better price... and a local pet store will probably have it as well, but not as cheap. Just make sure you check the measurements prior to purchase.

Turtleboy wrote:my turtles will not bask when anyone is in the room. they will bask when it feels safe so maybe cover the basking area?

The basking area on my tank is definitely covered. My turtle is very large and can literally climb out of the basking area if I don't (I've caught the little rascal in the act of trying to climb out!!!!).

I like that turtle landing. Where did you all get it?

I use the turtle dock for my turtle. Before I upgraded to a larger tank I just used a tall rock that he could climb up on. My problem now is that he's getting bigger, so that when he's on the dock he sinks in to the water a little. So he's never really completely out of water.

I'm not sure if you're talking about the one that Steve pictured or the one that looks like stone steps... but if you want the actual "turtle landing" in the first pic, it's not very sturdy and I doubt it would hold a bigger turtle. The stair like picture steve showed can be ordered online from petco (or bought if you have one nearby i just dont happen to...)

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx? ... yID=12632&