I keep reading that they don't, but I just can't believe it. I think my turtle, Franklin, may be a bit of a weirdo...
Sure he likes to sun bathe on his rock when I'm not home, but as soon as he sees me he will swim to his corner and stare at me constantly. But it's not his begging stare at all (when he's hungry he'll squirm more). And it's not like I'm right in front of his tank, I'm 20 feet away and whenever I look over to him he's got this 'Please let me out and play with me' expression. I feel so bad for him.
Overall, he's a pretty strange guy. I've tried to think of what toys to buy him to keep him out of trouble. I got him some bubbles, which he loves. He 'surfs' over them for long periods of time. He's also renovated his log (chews through it to make bigger holes). He used to have a bamboo floating in his tank, which he would cling to with one leg, and then row around with with the other leg.
He's only 1.5 years old. When I first got him I had to put another slider in his tank (from a friend) to teach him how to eat, and he was terrified of him.
I don't think he knows he's a turtle, honestly. We've caught him climbing on his rock and stretching his front legs up to the top of his tank. He'll put his claws in the lid and pull himself up, like he's doing chin-ups. No kidding. He's managed to escape from his tank numerous times, which I'm positive he only does when he's bored (when I'm not home all day). And we've really made it hard for him to escape, but he's a genius, haha.
Anyway, I really don't want him to be so bored, and I'm really sure that's part of the problem. I tried keeping more fish in his tank, but he starts to ignore those too. I've let him out of his tank a few times, but he's too terrified to walk around when I'm there, he just sits there. He's also a little too small still to be roaming around.
Any ideas on how I can keep this guy occupied? He'll be getting a major tank upgrade soon (I'm waiting till I move in June) which should help a little, but should I get him a buddy???
That's him sleeping in his renovated home