General Care Discussion :: wanting attention??

[daniella]

The past few days my turtle goes crazy when his light gets turned off. I try to keep him on a schedule. When I go to bed, his light gets shut up. The back of his tank, where he can stand on his basking area, he gets up and starts rocking his body on the glass, making a lot of noise. I don't know if he's doing this because he knows I can see him from there since the back of his tank faces my bed. He does this until I get up and walk over to his tank. Then in the morning, when he wakes up and I'm still asleep he does the same thing until I get up and turn his light on, and feed him. Is this normal??

[marisa]

Sounds pretty standard to me. My RES sometimes doesn't want to go to bed when the light goes off and can make a fuss repeatedly crawling on his basking area and jumping off until he gives up and settles down. In the morning the room gets light really early; he's up before his lights go on and will go on and off the basking area until the tank is uncovered (the tank is covered at night to make it dark for him so he'll sleep).

[mikee]

Dan-la -- Get him a night light, HA, the noise goes along with identifying you as its food provider. You must give in a lot and he wants more food and attention. Another thing is that he seems not to have much time at night alone. As long as you give him attention he will demand more.

[Dein211]

my turtle always sleeps o_o. ok not always but she sleeps alot. she's usually asleep or "in bed" by the time i turn her lights out and still asleep untill maybe eleven or so after i turn them on again. then she'll take a few naps througought the day.

[industrial_girl_2000]

No need for a nightlight. Just don't give him attention. It is very normal for RES's to beg for attention when THEY want it, banging against the glass, etc. I only know because my RES is very willful (read "diva") and thinks I am there to "serve her." At night when I am getting ready to turn off the lights, SHE decides that SHE wants out or SHE wants food. SHE makes enough splashing/banging noises to wake the dead!!! My solution? I just put a large towel over the tank & she calms down because she realizes she isn't getting her way.

[Bumby's Mom]

If he continues you will need to cover the tank. I have to cover my adult's tank because her tank is next to my bed and she can see me so she sits there smacking the water instead of sleeping. I use a black sheet and as soon as she is covered she crawls onto her dock and goes to sleep.