Other Turtle Discussion :: Is he stuck, or does he just like it there? Help!

[BleuLagoon007]

I'm a very new RES owner (took pitty on the last turtle on Canal Street las tweek....), and I have a few quick questions.

I'll be upgrading my tank/heater/filter/ect situation in the immediate future, but for today Pho (turtle) is in a bit of a makeshift enviroment. Unfourtunatly the tank is a bit on the smaller side, and in an octagonal shape. Pho is very small (less than an inch), and he's wedged himself in one of the angles between his basking rock and the tank wall. He's been swimming in the angle without any seeming difficulty, and can climb onto his rock... but at the moment he's just sitting there somewhat verticle (head up) between the rock and the wall. He doesn't appear to be in any distress or attempting to squirm out... he looks like he's just kind of napping there hanging out.

I didn't want to disturb him, so I took him out and he's now swimming around. He came out pretty easily, but pretty verticaly as well... but it's not to say that he couldn't have swum out on his own (or so it seems to me...). I'm going out this evening and he's being babysat by my parents, but they don't have the time to watch him every second I'm gone.

Do you guys think he was stuck... or do RES sometimes like to get cozy in spots like that? He doesn't have anything else in his tank at the moment, and I read somewhere that RES like to hide? Any thoughts are greatly apreciated!

[SpotsMama]

I think they like to squeeze into tight spots and hide. Your turtle's behavior sounds very typical. It's mostly the little ones that do it. When they're grown I guess they are more confident.

They can and do, however, get stuck. If they can't get to air then they can drown. Places I've heard of turtles getting stuck in are (1) between the tank wall and the basking dock (2) in the intake tube for the filter and (3) in an ornament or toy. You just have to think whenever you put something in the tank whether your turtle could get stuck because if he can, he probably will!

Is there any way to move the rock so there is more space between the tank wall and the rock until you can get him into a different tank?

When you get your setup, if you wind up with a Zoo Med Turtle Dock (they're very common, lots of people on here use them), check back here on some tips on how to keep little turtles from getting stuck with them. Also, if your filter doesn't have a protective screen over the intake tube, see if you can rig something up. Some folks have mentioned putting a piece of a nylon stocking over the intake tube. That would work!

[pumpkinsherbet]

it's important to turtle proof your turt's habitat. they're crazy little buggers that like to explore those tight spots. aeryn got caught twice in one day, which had me neurotically rearranging the tank again to get the bad spots out of the way. it's fine now, but i'm going to have to get a new hiding spot now b/c aeryn had to do some major struggling to get out of the entrance.

that zoo med turtle dock is fabulous in terms of places to bask, but that was where she got stuck both times. take the suction cups off the part that goes under the water.

[kikicool]

In the mean time, you may want to get some fake plants that suction on. My guys like the hide in them. Maybe that will give your little guy a better place to hide.

[BleuLagoon007]

He's got a couple floating plants now which he apparently ADORES. He's been swimming and floating in and out of them all afternoon. He seems to be doing really well with the nasty angles of the rock and tank wall for now, as soon as I have a spare half hour I'll be cleaning out the large fish tank I found in the attic.

Thanks for all your advice! I think I'm going to become addicted to this board!

[kikicool]

I really, really am addicted to this board. On busy days, I don't let myself check it because I know I ALWAYS have something to say--even if it's random! Welcome to the board and the Joy of a Turtle Companion!!

[pumpkinsherbet]

In the mean time, you may want to get some fake plants that suction on. My guys like the hide in them. Maybe that will give your little guy a better place to hide.

was that for me? i actually went out and bought them one a few minutes after posting that, i was doing a web search for hiding spots while i was posting here.

[kikicool]

Oh, no, LOL! It was for BleuLagoon. I was trying to suggest a way to get his turt to stop hiding in BAD places--give him a new one! That's funny though, that you went out a bought them at the same time! Ha! Love the name Aeryn. where'd it come from? (and speaking of addicted, I'm going to bed now!)

[pumpkinsherbet]

oh how embarassing! i sorry
aeryn got her name from a character on farscape.

[kikicool]

Not embarrissing, I felt bad because I thought that YOU thought that I was making an un-asked for comment based on your picture! So now no one feels bad. Good.

I really like that name! Mine are named after the munsters.