General Care Discussion :: WHATS GOING ON HERE?

[TriniTurtledude]

My turtles are acting as if there restless and not as calm as they usually are... just noticed it today. there only moving up and down up and down. should i be worried?

[grey goose]

It's what Vet's call "repetitive motion anxiety".....Could be several reasons for this behavior. Is the tank large enough? Water temps correct? Any low frequency noise or vibration from a stereo or tv? Maybe a noisy filter or aerator?
Are they doing it a few minutes after you feed them? Could be they are eating too fast (or too much) and have a stomachache.....

[mikee]

goose -- You are on the right track with the repetive motion. Clean water correct temps for water and basking and most important, plenty of room to swim around is a good start. A lot of harsh noise would do it also.

[mat012]

My guy also does this. He seems to be trying to get out of the tank. Swims up and down along the sides. He is now in a bigger tank, but still doing it. The tank is in the kitchen, so there is a good deal of daily noise (kids and all). The temps are also a bit high due to the weather (79.5 to 80.5 in water). He is also not basking, really never has that I have seen. Mollies are also sharing the tank with him. What do you do if it is noise? Would white noise help?


Thanks!

[mikee]

Ma-12 -- Trying to get out of the tank is normal, especially when they are in a new home. When I am speaking of loud noise I mean, constant banging, loud music, a lot of loud dog barking etc. Turtles use their carapace as a large hearing aid and can tell when you come into the room. They are extreamly sensitive to viabrations. It is one of their defence mechenisms.

[TriniTurtledude]

well tried feeding them this morning. They didn't eat. I'll have to trouble shoot with them. Any ideas?

[imderanged]

I'm not an expert and have not experienced this, but maybe they are females that need to lay eggs?

[steve]

It's possible. TriniTurtledude, do they pay attention to you when they are swimming like that?

[TriniTurtledude]

no not really they ignore me completly when they swim like that....we just thought that they might want to lay...how can i set up a proper nesting area?

[steve]

Well, you might want to gently feel for eggs, just in case. For nests, I would start here: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

But as an FYI, most people do not have luck with dirt tubs, an outdoor nesting area would be vastly better.