Other Turtle Discussion :: They forget they are pets?

[SliderGirl]

Hi there! I have three baby res and everytime we walk by the tank while they're basking they jump in the water like a bat out of hell. When will they grow out of that? It makes me nervous because I'm afraid they'll injure themselves. The water isn't that deep because they're babies and a couple times they almost hit the filter. (have a 30 gal tank)

[steve]

Hi, if they are healthy, they should be very good swimmers. You can gradually increase water levels, just make sure they cannot escape and that the basking area and lights are adjusted accordingly.

As for them being skittish, its usually a matter of time. Its instinctive for them and some adjust sooner than others. Since its very important for them to bask, you might want to put them in low traffic areas and cover the sides. Activities such as hand feeding and interacting with your turtle may help them overcome some of that. Mine hardly do it, but it does and will still happen.

[SpotsMama]

And, the fact that they fly off the platform like that is a sign that they're healthy. It makes me sad to read when a little hatchling just lies on the basking platform when someone comes up to it because that means he/she doesn't have the energy to jump down.

When your turtles get older that will get more confident and less skittish. They will also, with time, learn that you're the one that feeds them. Eventually, instead of running away from you they'll run toward you, begging to be fed!

They will appreciate a lot more water in that tank. Turtles in the wild live in ponds and lakes and love to swim and dive.

[marisa]

All but one of my turtles will lie on the basking area when I come up to them (Shy Guy is, as the name implies, just too shy), and they do have the energy to jump down if they want to...

[SpotsMama]

Are your turtles little hatchlings, or are they older?

[marisa]

They're now older, but as hatchlings they learned pretty quickly to stay put on the basking area (unless I had something unusual in my hand that would freak them out). Flight is instinctive, especially if a turtle is in a new/uncomfortable situation, whether a hatchling or not. A turtle with closed/swollen eyes and/or one that's too weak to move is obviously ill and won't move off the basking area. But a turtle, even a hatchling, can be in good heath and still stay on the basking area when approached.

[myrtle1123]

Mytrle used to do that when I first got her. Now when I walk into my room and she's basking she doesn't really move. If I'm quick and get out of there she will stay but if I'm there over 5 minutes she speeds off that dock and next thing I know shes swimming again.

[SpotsMama]

Yeah, same with Spot. He would just fly off that dock and run like mad when I got too close. He's totally a cool turtle now. The other day I actually picked him up off his dock.

[industrial_girl_2000]

The little ones are always a bit antsy. Once they get older, many will chill out & don't lurch into the water like that. It takes a lot of time for them to be comfortable with having people in the room while they bask. Some turtles never get used to it.

[DavidY]

Sudden or quick movements tend to spook them more too. If you enter the room slowly every time, they may adjust to your presence more easily.

[SliderGirl]

Thanks for your replies everyone. This is very helpful and a relief too