General Care Discussion :: Anti-Social Turtles?

[pajamatree]

First of all, I just want to apologize to everyone for my millions of posts and questions. When I stumbled upon this site and read everything I found out that I really haven't been taking care of my turtles as well I thought I had. Since then, I've already spent a lot more money trying to do everything correctly. I have a new tank on the way and am currently shopping like a progressive customer for a new filtration system. I think after that, I will have everything I need.

But anywho, I have two RES. They're seriously the only reason to my sanity right now, I love them more than anything, but they don't seem to be very appreciative to me in return. When I take them out of their cage (which I've rarely done because I'm afraid of handling them too much) they seem to shy away from me and hiss and throw a total fit for intruding. They stay in their shell and act like they want nothing to do with me. They're scared little turtles.

Is there a reason to this behavior or did I just get two anti-social turtles?

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well,it depends how long you've had them.How long have you had them?But they could be turtles that don't like to be handled.One of my turtles,when I pick them up,goes inside it's shell,because it gets scared.But my other one just tries to jump out of my hand,but your turtles,may not really like to be handled,but if you've only had them for a few weeks then they may still be getting used to their new home,and will get more comfortable with you as time passes,but it might depend on how long you've had them.So,how long have you had them?

[pajamatree]

I've had them for a little over a year. I just took them out and they are willing to come out of their shell, they just hiss A LOT.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well,that's weird.They must not like to be held.

[ScrewZoo]

Its the way u raised them , you dont handle them much, which is a good thing, i dont do it either.. i think its more natural if i let them be without handleing them.. when i do pick them up to move them to wash the tank squirtle hisses and flutters at me in mid air.. its normal.. their not a dog.. why do u need to handle them neway?

[Arisu]

I've had my turtle for 2 years and he still hisses at me when I approach him too fast.

I think ScrewHead is right- it has a lot to do with how you raise 'em. Many turtles are tolerant of their owners probably because they've gotten used to the handling. Nonetheless, turtles in the wild are not friends with humans, so its only natural for them to be a defensive.

Don't take it personally (: It's just their style.

[pajamatree]

I don't really have reason to handle them, I just like to pick them up and let 'em hang out with me every once in awhile.


I guess that makes sense, though.

[BullDog]

Turtles aren't really a cuddly pet. They generally don't like being picked up. It can in fact stress them out, so it's good that you don't handle them too much.

There are some turtles, perhaps who have been handled frequently since they were young and happen to have the right personality (or turtlality?) and are OK with being picked up, but I think the majority is perfectly happy to stay in their habitat.

Some owners "bond" with their turts by hand feeding them. It may take some time for yours to get used to it, but it's worth a try if you want to spend some "quality time" with your RES

[pajamatree]

It's sad to come to terms with. I wish they were as affectionate as my cat.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, cat's can give you the cold shoulder too! I agree with BullDog, try hand-feeding them, whether it be the pellets or treats every once in awhile. I recommend holding the food as far from your fingers as possible, and just dangling it in the water. They'll see the food and swim up. At first, my turtle was a little confused ("What's the deal with you wiggling my food around?"), but now, just grabs the food and takes off with it.

Also, rather than "handling" the turtles, try becoming one with them. Move your hand around the tank, gently of course, but have it become part of the tank. Careful that you don't get bit! After a few days of just being there occasionally, try to pet your turtles shell or gently pick them up and set them on your hand underwater. My turtle has become comfortable with my hand being in the tank, often he doesn't even notice it's there, and I'm able to pick him up to inspect him or whatever. I don't cuddle with him, but there is no fear of the hand from the sky. Obviously he gets a little annoyed when he's been out of the water too long, but I try to do weekly inspections of his shell and everything to make sure all is well.

[Bascomb]

PJ -- When selecting a filter be sure you go by the gph and not a sizing from a fish tank. You will need to get a filter that will pump at least 5 times the volume of water in the tank. ---- Next; Turtles are not affectionate. They are reptiles and the only relationship that you will have is that your are the foods source. If you need some kind of relationship with the turtles you can hand feed them. They will resist it at first but if you only offer them food with your hand they will eventually will come around. Be prepared to get bitten. With a little practice you can avoid most of it. Remember a turtle only loves food. Nothing else. Good Luck. b.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well,Bubbles(My turtle) he goes in his shell,but Squirt(My other turtle)he just tries to jump out of myhands,but he doens't hiss at me.

[ScrewZoo]

I can't remember the last time i picked my turtles up.. Probably for a water change.. It was hard at firs to decide not to handle them but now their not scared of me at all when i put my hand in the tank to move something, even when their basking because they trust that im not going to grab them.. Idk.

[SpotsMama]

I've had Spot for nearly 7 years. He used to be very scared of me - he'd run and hide whenever I looked at him. I first started picking him up on a daily basis to put him in a separate feeding bowl to help keep his aquarium clean. After awhile, he got to where he wasn't afraid for me to pick him up. As he got older, he got shell fungus and for a long time I picked him up every day to check his shell and skin to make sure he was healing. I also began taking him outside so he could walk around in the sun and explore. By the time he was around 5, he was completely relaxed around me - would even follow me around sometimes like a dog. No snapping, no hissing.

He's been spending the summer outside in a pond this year. I haven't picked him up as regularly and of course he's been liviing like a wild turtle and I'm afraid he's also begun acting like a wild turtle in some ways. He still swims up to me so I can pick him up but there's lots of snapping. I really have to watch my fingers. He chases after me now kind of like he used to but....I'm afraid it's because he wants to bite me! Not scared, but not nice at all.

The point is, turtles have personalities that evolve over time and they will adapt to their environment. If you're around them all the time and always handle them gently and never ever tease them, they will eventually come to see you aren't a threat and will even eventually see you as their best friend (ie, the one that feeds them) but it does take time. I think it's one of the things that makes turtles so fascinating - they aren't "easy".

When I bring Spot back inside to spend the winter in his aquarium, I'm sure he'll go through a period of adjustment then he'll be my friend again. But I won't expect it to happen overnight.