Hey folks,
I currently have two RES that are housed outside in my Koi/Turtle Pond. It has good/excellent filtration and is aprox 4500gallons. I have created several area for the RES to bask. One of the turtles basks frequently and for long periods of time. Doing so in several locations within the pond.
One of my RES does not bask frequently. I have seen her do it occasionally but she is so skittish she bails into the water if I get within 20 feet. It has not been that warm which may be contributing to the basking, however the other turtles still manages to do, and it not worried about my presence at all. It is possible to RES that doesn't bask is doing it while I'm not around, and then bails into the water as I enter the yard.
So today when I got home from work, I fished her out of the pond to make sure she was looking healthy. I have not really seen her eat that much, but most of my Lilly pads are missing, I assume she has been eating those. So I took a picture of her shell as it looks like it's shedding or has some challenges. The rest of the week here is suppose to be hotter <30C> so I am hoping she will get some more basking time.
On a side note, I have only owned both RES for one month. The turtle in question Im guessing is 5 to 6 years old, and had always be kept inside in a very small tank.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassiarkoi/5854573731/in/photostream