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My turtle swims and basks, and beg for food whenever I come, everything looks fine, is this a sign that he's happy? sometimes I just wonder if he's really happy with his surrounding? how can you tell if your turtle is happy or not?

I don't think you can, really. It's more likely that you'd be able to tell if he was unhappy because he may not do the usual turtle things like eating/basking/swimming around.

I assume mine are 'happy' because I've met their requirements as far as diet and habitat and they do the usual turtle activities.

Many people try to attribute human emotions to their turtles but they aren't human and therefore we can't tell if they are happy or sad. I agree with Jen, the only way to assure your turtle's "happiness" is to make sure their requirements are being met. Making sure they have the proper environment and foods. This would include NOT overfeeding your turtle as this could risk his health and his life. They need a good balance to have a long and "happy" life.

I am not one to apply human emotions to a lot of animals as well. Basically, if you try and provide a healthy environment as close to what they would have in nature, then your turtle should be fine.

I know mine love to play in the plants, dig in the rocks, bite at the shell in there, climb through the sea sponge.. and fight / tear apart a krill almost as big as them......it keeps them entertained and active. So, I would assume they are *happier* with something to do then just being in a barren tank.

well.... i tell you this much, when i was scratching my turtle's throat the other day she stretched the neck out as far as she could and closed her eyes. she even turned her head so that i can get the side of her neck by the lower jaw. a lot like how a cat turns their head into you when youre scratching them. i think that counts as "happy"

Funny you mention that jeggy. One of my RES likes being pet on the head like a dog. I tried it one day and she just sat there while i did it.