Habitat - Outdoor :: temporary outdoor habitat

[kc]

since i live in toronto, the summer months are only from a few months, and since i want to have my turtle to live outside and have natural sunshine, i decided to get a big plastic storage container and put some rocks and have my turtle live in there. the problem is that my turtle seems to be really scared living in the big blue container. i'm trying to slowly introduce her to the new environment by putting her outside in the container during the day and take her back inside her glass tank. it doesn't seem to be working. when she's in the container, she always sinks right to the bottom and just stay there. she doesn't even want to eat her favorite earth worm in there. now my turtle seems to be scared of me for taking her in and out everyday, and now she doesn't want to play with me anymore. any suggestions?

[megcornell]

Maybe you could cover the sides so it seems safer to submerge in the water and your turtle can feel like it's better hidden? Do you have any pics of the set up? I think if people could see what you're talking about they could give some better suggestions at making your turtle's summer home more comfortable.

[marisa]

The plastic container is clear or solid color like some of the larger Rubbermaid storage containers?

I used to use blue kiddie pools, for my turtles, which had a lot of surface area and which were relatively "exposed," I think making my turts feel quite vulnerable. It took a while, and some turtles were less skittish than others, but having them in an area that was "safe" (little activity and no sudden movement) with a good basking area eventually got them to bask.

I don't know how big your container is, but having a plant (like a water hyacinth) in there for cover would also be good. My painteds would hang on to them with their heads exposed to the sun and would move on from there to the basking area.

[kc]

the container is solid blue with some big rocks for her to climb on and bask.and the container is relatively deep.
i would like to show you guys but how do i post pictures here? or do i have to load it up some where and post the URL link?

[steve]

You do need to upload it somewhere like photobucket, but you can also email to me if you want to. redearslider@gmail.com