Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle hides almost all day?

[abbyy1]

Hello.
My turt, Chester, hates to be anywhere in his tank that is not near his basking rock. I hardly see him on the rock, but he is always laying right up against it, or hiding in the fake plant he has. Is this normal baby RES behavior? I believe he's around 3-12 months old. Thanks.

[octpusgirl8]

Turtles have different personalities, some are friendly and outgoing, and some are more shy and skittish. He's probab;y just a shy little guy. Try giving him plenty of hiding spots (lots of fake plants), and try to get him to associate you with food. I'm sure he'll come around, just try to make him as comfortable as possible and don't do anything to stress him out.

[abbyy1]

thanks ill try. the only thing is the reason i picked him at the pet store was because he was the one that swam up to me to take a closer look? haha.

[octpusgirl8]

Hahaha that sucks! How long have you had him for?

[Raphulk]

like octopusgirl said.
also remember that your turtle is still very young im asuming, and he could just be testing his waters (not literally) with his new environment. from reading other peoples stories and partly my own experience, it takes turtles some time to acclimate and get used to their new habitat.

but i also second on giving the little guy some more hiding spots so he doesnt feel vulnerable.

[drtweak]

Our littlest, Mikey, was very shy, he hid in his shell, didn't move, and everything.

After about a 1 1/2 months he is now VERY curious, loves to come up to you when you come near the tank even lets you pet him, as where spikey is now the shy one.

Just give it time. They dont know you but i'm sure once they get use to you they will, so to speak, come out of their shell lol

[mat012]

Could also be where he is located (the tank I mean). Mine was in a tank on the kitchen counter for a while. Right above the dish washer, the poor thing was freaked out all of the time with all of the cooking, the disposal, and humming from the dish washer around. Since he has moved into his new tank (still in the kitchen but on a stand at the other end of the room) you would think hes become "Mr. Personality". He watches us eat, begs all of the time. Swims around constantly. He even scratches at the glass when he see us and starts swimming up and down as he looks at us (big time begger!). Its been a big and surprising change. He also has more places to hide in the new tank too. I think that has made him feel more secure.

[packfan1]

What is the tanks water temp? Remember that your turtle will behave differently around water and basking temps. If I remember correctly babies need warmer water temps, around 75*. The basing air temp needs to be about 10-15* warmer or around 90* for the turtle to want to climb out of the tank. Where is the tank is another concern. Hi trafic area may make it more shy. In time, under the correct set up, he will come around. Check the basic care section for more information.

[octpusgirl8]

Another tip to make him more comfortable:
You can use Glad Press n Seal to create a privacy screen around the basking area or part of the tank. Just stick it on, it creates a frosted glass effect that comes off easily with no sticky junk left behind.

[drtweak]

hahaha yea Mikey likes to follow my finger and beggs to.

What a personality these guys can have!

Hope your baby gets better!

[Bumby's Mom]

Babies need to be kept at 78 degrees (for water) and at least 10 degrees warmer for basking.

[taurusgirl]

I had a turtle that did the same thing and I got worried and called the vet which is a herb vet and he said that young turtles dont bask or come out that often because in the wild bigger animals would see them and eat them

[Impulse Shopper]

Turtles have different personalities, some are friendly and outgoing, and some are more shy and skittish. He's probab;y just a shy little guy. Try giving him plenty of hiding spots (lots of fake plants), and try to get him to associate you with food.

OK. George is letting me get close to him and sampling food, or at least sniffing it. But am I not encouraging antisocial behavior by letting him hide under his fake plants all day? At least, not when I'm home (which is, unfortunately, infrequently).

I'm sure he'll come around, just try to make him as comfortable as possible and don't do anything to stress him out.

OK.

[Impulse Shopper]

the only thing is the reason i picked him at the pet store was because he was the one that swam up to me to take a closer look?

I can relate. George got his name from the cartoon character Curious George because he was so active and alert. But since he got home, he's lethargic.

[Impulse Shopper]

young turtles dont bask or come out that often because in the wild bigger animals would see them and eat them

That explains why George does not bask. Love to stay submerged. Well, prefers it, anyway. He doesn't seem to love much at all.

It worried me because I thought turtles need to dry out once in a while. I was wondering if the rock is too high for him to climb on, but when I put him on it, he crawls right off back into the water.

And he hides just about every time he sees me.