General Care Discussion :: companion

[zeek]

Hi guys how are ya,
I was turning off the light for my Bella, and I feel a bit sad about her being in the tank all by herself, I was wondering if they get lonely. She has gotten real big now, like the size of my hand. Should I get her a companion or should I leave her. Oh and please keep in mind that I am using a 65 gallon tank, I don't really want to get a bigger one so yea.

[Nettle]

Turtles are actually content with being alone. They're very territorial and fight frequently as they get older.

That doesn't mean that he can't get bored, though. Have you tried a bubbler or ping pong ball?

[zeek]

no i have not, i will give that a try...ummm but what is a bubbler?

[Chrisbarnett]

Reptiles don't get bored. They are not like mammals.

A bubbler is an airtsone that is connected to a pump via tubing. It pumps air into the stone through the tubing, and the bubbles are finely dispersed as they get pushed through the stone. Most turtles like to "play" with the bubbles. Biting at them and whatnot. Squirt on the other hand, could care less about bubbles.

[Nettle]

I understand that they aren't like mammals, but don't you think a turtle would get a little bored if he was stuck in a tank with absolutely nothing in it?

[zeek]

yea they would. umm what do you guys have in your tanks? If you can post any pics I would love it.

[SpotsMama]

Actually, turtles do get bored. I read a report recently about a turtle that lived in a lab for years. Her environment was very sterile and she began biting her forearms. Her keepers thought she might be feeling bored and frustrated, so gave her a little floating ball. She began pushing the ball all around the tank every day, and her self destructive arm-biting stopped.

Turtles like to root around in their environment, so you can put things on the bottom of the tank for them to push around and dig under, like a few large river rocks or some aquarium decorations. Some turtles will "flutter" at a river rock (especially if it has a few stripes) as if it were another turtle.

Some turtles like to chase minnows.

Most turtles like to swim back and forth in a waterfall or stream of bubbles.

I think it helps to have the turtle's aquarium in a room where there are people and activity (not when the turtle is brand new and shy, of course, but after he gets older, comfortable and secure). You should interact with your turtle, for example by feeding him by hand. Your turtle will get to know you and will be very glad to see you if you are the one that feeds him.

[Chrisbarnett]

Good to know spotsmama. It was a fact I read on a gecko board, so it was more general towards lizards, snakes. That doesn't mean I believe that turts don't get bored, I was just trying to put Zeeks mind at ease about getting a roomy for his turt.
But heres my tank.

Sand substrate for him to root around in. plants to swim in, rest in, whatever. Resting dock. Blah Blah, The bubble feature is gone, He didn't care about it.

Anyway, My tank is in my room, which gets moderate activity. He's such a ham, anyone comes in the room, he follows you across the room along the front of the tank.

[SpotsMama]

Chrisbarnett, I know your heart's in the right place!

It is true that reptiles are different from mammels in a lot of ways. My opinion is that the difference stems mainly from that way they're brought up. Mammals are nutured by their moms and stroked and fussed over, so they grow up feeling and appreciating affection. Reptiles just hatch from their eggs one day and never know a mom or dad (except, I suppose, for some crocodiles), so they have no concept of affection. That makes a big difference but it doesn't preclude them from feeling a lot of the things we mammals feel - like fear, curiousity, joy and boredom.

At least, that's my opinion.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Turtles love edible "toys", like blueberries or grapes, strips of carrot or apple or mango, pieces of cuttlebone, or rosie red minnows! Blueberries are infinitely entertaining!

I have these glass U shaped rocks at the bottom of my tank, Mikey *loves* rooting around those. And I just added a bunch of fake plants and he is so weirded out by them. Bubbles don't do much for him, though. I think every turtle is different, so just try a few things to keep your turtle entertained, and don't get discouraged if they don't take to a certain toy right away.

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

Aww, my turtle's name is Bella too!