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I just got my turtle about a month ago. He's 1 1/2". I just made him a new set-up, which includes two basking areas. But he doesn't seem to know how to go to the area. He just hides underneath the bridge all day long. I tried luring him to the basking areas with food, but he wouldn't budge. What should I do? And is two basking areas a good idea?

I'm new on here, but I've had my RES for about 3 years, and I have changed his habitat around a few times. Every time I do, it takes him a while to warm up to the new additions. As long as Connor can easily climb onto the platforms, then he will eventually do it. Just give him some time. Curiosity will get the best of him! lol

ok... i figured out how to italicise...lol

I've had to 'introduce' the turts every time i change the basking area. I'm sure they'd find it on their own but it eases my mind when I know that they know it's there. Nudge him up there by the bum and show him.

Iris, can you post a picture of that area?

I changed it again. I hope he doesn't mind. I didn't really like the bridge. Now it's just the platform thing for basking, rocks and pebbles. This is a picture of him on his rock:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/mi ... CT0020.jpg
And this is a picture of him on his bridge:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/mi ... CT0018.jpg
I don't know if this helps. The picture mainly consists of my turtle.

Is that "bridge" a ramp he's supposed to be able to climb so that he can get on the basking area? If so, it has no traction to allow him to grip the surface and climb up (it looks too slippery).

Also, is that "bridge" made out of wood? If so, it would be better to find something else to use. Some wood, and in particular pressurized wood, if submersed in water/it constantly gets wet can leak substances that could be harmful to your turtle.

It would be better to buy a basking area that has a ramp area for climbing or make one using a "hard" surface like plastic/plexiglass. I've made ramps from plexiglass and used aquarium silicone to glue plastic mesh strips to them to give my RES something to grip when he's climbing to the basking area.

Oh, you're right. He always slides off it and then heads the other way. I always assumed that he just didn't want to bask anymore. Maybe that's why he doesn't bask at all now. What's aquarium silicone? And where can I get it?
Thanks Marisa, you've been a lot of help.

You're welcome. You can aquarium silicone at any petstore (Petco, Petsmart) that sells fish. Walmart sells it as well.

It's important that you little turtle have a good basking area to get on and dry off---he needs to do this to help those areas on the shell get better. He has both a UVB light and a light to heat the basking area 88-90F?