Other Turtle Discussion :: How attached are your turtles to you?

[ellman605]

Today, i got back from my 4 day trip to myrtle beach, and my parents took care of bobby and tode. So, when i got back, they swam FRANTICALLY to get to me (they had just eaten), and once they calmed down, bobby climbed up onto the basking platform and came up and poked my nose with his head. So thats my story!

[SpotsMama]

Wow! You must feel like a million dollars! You can't ask for a better sign of what a good turtle parent you are!

[DavidY]

That's awesome! The first time I brought my 3 RES outside in the backyard, two of them immediately turned around and made a beeline for my feet. I think they were afraid of being outside for the first time.

[Ferd]

my turtles have been very close to me. only once has either one hissed at me and that was my bad. Since then, we have been so close. at a tender age of just 9 months, they already let me pet their heads and eat lettuce from my hand!

[turboturtle8]

me to ferd they eat lettuce right out of my hand only my male on does though

[industrial_girl_2000]

I took Sheba in a pool once so I could swim with her (she always looked like she was having so much fun in her tank). When I put her in the pool, she sank all the way to the bottom. She had never been in such a big "lake" before! Eventually she swam back up to the surface & looked at me. She stayed with me for the first 5 minutes, almost like she was afraid to go swim away. She eventually sank back down & swam a little bit, but seemed to look for me when she surfaced.

She didn't resist when I took her out 20 min. later.

Also, when I go out of town on vacation, I think she gets kinda mad because all the stuff in her tank is moved topsy/turvy. She doesn't move things when I am in town.

[myrtle1123]

That's awesome! The first time I brought my 3 RES outside in the backyard, two of them immediately turned around and made a beeline for my feet. I think they were afraid of being outside for the first time.

Hahaha today I brought Myrtle in my backyard for the first time. She loved it and was climing all around the grass. But as soon as I put her on the ground she came straight up to me! It was funny. She soon got used to it and explored elsewhere.

[Ferd]

To industrial_girl_2000: that is soo kool. ill have to try it out when we open up the pool this year. will the chlorine have any effect on them?

[adam85491]

Yes, absolutely. Don't do it.

[DavidY]

The chlorine is not good for them (it's not great for us either, but it's better than the alternative). I wouldn't put my turtles in the swimming pool.

[Ferd]

you serious? dang. i have always wanted to see what would happen if my turtles ever got through the glass. would they just want to be near me or want to catch the biggest fishe they have ever seen? HMMM...........

[industrial_girl_2000]

To industrial_girl_2000: that is soo kool. ill have to try it out when we open up the pool this year. will the chlorine have any effect on them?

Best not to expose them to all that chlorine. The day I took Sheba into the pool was a particularly hot balmy sunny day. The pool guy comes to add chemicals & clean the pool in the early morning. I took Sheba in there in the evening when the pool no longer smelled like chlorine but there is still some chlorine in there.

Keep in mind also that my turtle was about 16 yrs old at the time (just before I found this board). I would never have done it if she wasn't fully grown. And I won't be doing it again because I know it really isn't good for her (hurts their eyes). It was only a one-time thing.

But, Ferd, if you are opening your pool this year, I would fill it up, let it sit for a day with no chlorine, then the next day hop in with your turtle (BEFORE you add any chlorine-chemicals to the water). The risk from chlorine would be minimal then. That's what I would do.

[DavidY]

That's a good idea, Kristin! Just make sure the water is warm enough.

[SpotsMama]

Kristin, I remember your post about swimming with Sheba and it sounded beautiful. I'm thinking of getting in the pond with Spot when I first put him in this summer! No quite the same but should be interesting.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Kristin, I remember your post about swimming with Sheba and it sounded beautiful. I'm thinking of getting in the pond with Spot when I first put him in this summer! No quite the same but should be interesting.

Thanks! It really was an amazing experience to watch Sheba swim from "inside the aquarium". I felt very "connected" to her at that point....kinda like walking in someone else's shoes!