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the other night, i had turned all the lights off, i give them about 14 hours of uva light a day, and then turn out the light etc... well it was completly dark in the room, and when i walked in and turned on the room light, i looked at the turtles and one was at the bottom eyes closes, head out, and one foot out, kinda floating there..this might sound crazy but i tapped on the glass and said "HEY WAKE UP" and tapped again.. he then opened his eyes. came up to the side of the tank and just looked at me. then swam away to the other side..i told him if he scared me like that again i would kick his little turtle butt....

is this normal or should i find a vet or anything.. hes fine today, except for the fact he doesnt like his bigger floating turtle dock, and prefers the landing hes had for quite some time..

They sleep where ever they feel like, in different positions. I think waking them up just to check them is unnecessary.

I had to laugh when I read that.. I have to admit I did the same thing.. I'd had them for awhile but never saw them sleep totally immersed underwater and it kind of freaked me out. So like steve said, totally normal and no need to wake them up. They can stay underwater sleeping for around 3 hours.

I admit to being somewhat overprotective with the new painted hatchling I recently began to take care of, and checked on him last night. He opened his eyes slowly and looked at me as if I was crazy.

thanks for the info all.. i never knew they could sleep under there for 3 hours.. seems like a long time to me, for them to not breathe?

but thats just myopinion scientifically i would like to know how it is possible..

anyways, im glad i wasnt the only one to have this scare.. i have been doing all my research every day to learn more and more about my little guys.. and i am very protective of them... just seeing him in the bottom of the tank eyes closed made me think he passed... just scared me

My turt floats right near the top of the water with a little air bubble on her nose. lol. I think she does it so when her 3 hours are up she can take another breath real quick and go back to sleep.