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I'm concerned my turtle isn't basking. His basking area is just an elevated area of gravel, but he never goes up there. I bought him a rock that is submerged in water that he can go into and avoid light from. Is it possible he goes into that rock when he's too warm instead of basking? Is it possible he's also not getting UVB rays while he's in there? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

first off, the gravel should go. turtles will eat the gravel if it is too small. also, if the basking area dosent dry off completely, then the turtle could risk shell rot from impropper drying.

1. Remove the gravel. Your turtle could eat it and become impacted, which can lead to serious health issues and possibly death.
2. No, your turtle is not getting sufficient UVB under water
3. A basking platform, rock, or other area should be provided that has a sufficient area for your turtle to bask on that is completly out of the water with a UVB and heat source.

Can you provide a picture of your setup? A picture would allow us to provide more information to you.

If you can make a land area out of gravel then your tank is too small and you don't have enough water in there. You need to keep the water at a consistent 75-80 and the basking about 10 degrees warmer. You also need to offer them privacy... some require much more privacy than others.

So what do I put in the tank in place of gravel?

River rocks. Just make sure they are larger than the turtles head. And you don't need many of them. Take a look at the pics in my turtle gallery to get an idea.

I really appreciate the advice, and have already got him a bigger tank, but I'm still not sure why he's not basking at all.

The dry basking area has to be quite a bit warmer than the water (10 degrees or more) to motivate the turtle to get up and bask. Are you sure the basking area is warm enough? The only way to really tell is to measure the temperature with a thermometer.

On the other hand, if the basking area is TOO hot, the turtle will have sense enough not to get up and try to bask! So it's important to know the temp of the water and the temp of the basking area.

I didn't know about these things during the couple of years I had Spot, so Spot didn't bask like he was supposed to, and his shell got pretty messed up. Now, after about a year of good light, food and habitat, he's a whole lot better off but his shell still isn't pretty.

My turtles are 1.5" long. They are quite small, but they are not basking at all. They very seldomly come out of the water, even the feeding area is there. They just come out very carefully, grab something, then quicly go back into the water. If there is sun outside, I positioned the tank to be warmed by the sun, but they run to cover, in the shaddow. I never saw them basking. Any ideas?

Do not keep the tank near the window for sunlight.

Do you have a basking lamp and a turtle dock?

Of course I have a turtle dock, but no, I don't have a basking lamp. From what I read on the net, they need 4-5 hours a week of sunlight for UV.

1. Are they basking when so small?
2. UV lamp is for UV or for other functions?

I am not sure I understand completely what's needed.

They can bask when they are small, just keep an eye on the temps. Temps that are too warm can knock out a smaller RES. Fluorescent UVB lamps provide UVB and UVA, but no heat. You can use a regular bulb for heat.