General Care Discussion :: how can I get my res to bask?

[Nadia]

I am new to the turtle care and have a baby res barely 1.5 inches. I've been keeping the water temp at 75-78 degrees and the basking area around 85 degrees and he won't leave the water, what should I do to get him to bask?

[steve]

Is it easy to access the basking area? Specifically, is there a ramp or incline he can use?

Also, is the surrounding area quite? I think they like to concentrate while basking

If I go near mine while she's basking she'll plop into the water and beg for food.

[pkneeyahx]

turt's need to be inticed to bask. the air temp should be at least 10 degrees higher than the temp of the water.

[Nadia]

The floating rock is inlcined begining under the water. It is quiet where I keep him, but I am in the same room often, does that matter? If the temp difference between the air and the water gets under 10 degrees should I cool the water or warm the basking area?

[jenaero]

water temp should be between 75-78 for young turtles. I keep mine at 75. Bump the basking temp up to 90 and see what he does. Mine never used to bask if I was in the room. I had to sneak up on them to make sure they were basking every day. After a while tho, they realized I wasn't going to hurt/eat them and they let me touch them while they're basking now.

[kneecole]

Mine wont bask when I'm in the same room either. Everytime I come home I sneak up on them slowly and watch them. Then once they see me they are back in the water. Give them time to get used to you.

[bradhart]

I agree. they don't know that you're not going to eat them, and they're volnerable(sp) while basking. It takes a while, but sooner or later they'll bask when you're around. It took mine 3 months to not run away when I walked in the room. Now he just looks at me and closes his eyes.

[msmelanie]

Our turt never bask at all. Well we got him less than a month so I hope soon he will.

[steve]

if he refuses to bask, you should take him out once in awhile and dry him off. its not to encourage basking, but it is not good for the shell to be under water all the time.

[Nadia]

how often are they ideally suppose to bask and for how long each time?

[punkiemichelle]

Do you leave and go to work or school. Most likley they bask when you are not around. It takes quite awhile for your turt to feel secure enough to be able to bask in front of you. So, try sneaking up on him (which can be a bit tricky!) and you just may catch your little guy/gal up on his dock/ramp.

[kneecole]

Exactly like michelle said.

Just today I sneaked up on mine after going out for a bit this afternoon. And as soon as he saw me it looked like he was having a sesure b/c he was freaking out so much and kept runing into the glass. He managed to flip himself over a few times before making it to the water. I have to say it was kinda funny.

[msmelanie]

if he refuses to bask, you should take him out once in awhile and dry him off. its not to encourage basking, but it is not good for the shell to be under water all the time.

Thank you Steve. Luckily he started basking today! Oh We felt so happy! Last night he started eating the fishes around him too. We caught him running after a fish. This Turt is just the cutest!

[msmelanie]

Do you leave and go to work or school. Most likley they bask when you are not around. It takes quite awhile for your turt to feel secure enough to be able to bask in front of you. So, try sneaking up on him (which can be a bit tricky!) and you just may catch your little guy/gal up on his dock/ramp.

That is exactly how it happened. I stayed in the bedroom all morning and when I came out he is out there basking

[punkiemichelle]

Good to see your guy is basking. Before you now it they will not even lift a foot when you walk in the room! Mine will bask in front of everyone, it took him probibly 5 months to get used to it.