Other Turtle Discussion :: is it ok to take out my hatchling?

[speed2187]

i wanted to know if its ok to take out my hatchling and let walk on the table or is that not good for its health

[WyredHardware]

well it depends on how your hatching reacts. If it runs for the nearest dark corner or just says withdrawn in its shell then it is very scared and wants nothing to do with its new surroundings.
Handling hatchings also can give them lots of stress. Do you use a separate tank/bowl to feed it? Doing so gets the turtle used to you handling it as well as keeps the tank clean.
I would say take it easy and watch it closely. If it looks like it is scared or panicking it should be left in the tank for now. Some of the other member's turtles loves going out for walks. My turtle likes to check things out. Last time I cleaned my tank my Kokoro was checking out my shoes for the better part of 1h. In one then back out and into another one..... maybe she likes caves....

[RunninWideOpen]

I would definitely not let it walk around on a table. They're much faster than they seem and he could jump off and fall very easily.

If you want to let him walk around a lawn or something that would be ok as long as it doesn't cause him lots of stress (you'll be able to tell if he's just running away and looking for a place to hide). If you do let him out you'll need to keep your eyes on him constantly. They can disappear very easy, and they're very hard to find.

Like I said, if it is causing him stress, just leave him in the tank. Stress is quite harmful to turts, especially hatchlings.

[speed2187]

yeah, my RES gets scared everytime i put my hand around the tank, when i feed it, it just stays in a corner and waits for me to back up then eats, how long do you think it will take for it to get used to me?

[SpotsMama]

It depends on the turtle. Some are shyer than others. Some warm up in a matter of weeks, some take years. I've had Spot for four years. I'd say for most of the first year he'd run away whenever I got close to him. Then, he gradually got less and less afraid, and by now, he's positively friendly! Instead of running away from me, he runs towards me!

Just always be very gentle, never tease him, feed him by hand if you can, and let him see you often enough that he gets used to you and learns that you're not going to eat him. For the past few years I've handled Spot almost daily - just a little to check his shell and skin. Our turtle is in the den where we spend most of our lives so he sees us a lot. (Well, that's not quite true. Right now he's outside in a pond - but he spends the cooler months in an aquarium in the den with us.)

[WyredHardware]

Kokoro was afraid for about 2-3 weeks then was very calm. She would bask in front of me and and everything. Since I changed her tank around she is scared of me again...

[scripta_elegans]

One of mine is very unafraid of me, to the point where she will allow me to pet her in the tank, though she still doesn't like being picked up much. The other is freaked out by everyone and everything, and he's over a year old now. They have received the same love and care, but they do have different personalities.

[marisa]

I'd keep your turtle off the table and any other surface where there is a drop that your turtle could possibly fall off of. If it's a nice day, why not take your turtle outside for a little sun?

[GPRenegade]

Not on the table...

If it seems frightened at first try cupping you hands around it to make a sort of cave... my little one was scared at first but when I did this she started poking her head out and slowly walking around.