General Care Discussion :: Stopping Turtle from Getting Stuck

[javablog]

Ever since I got my turtle Bubble he likes to sleep underneath his turtle dock. At first he would rest his feet on the bottom bar and spread his legs out with his head barely above the water. I was afraid he would get stuck and drown so I flipped the bar around and now its at the top where he can't reach it. Yet he still finds a way to wedge him self underneath the dock. This is bugging me for two reasons: 1) I don't want him to get stuck and drown and 2) He's getting so big that sometimes the dock releases off the suction cups when he pries his way in between it and the glass.

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. As cute as he looks I would really like it if he would stop so I can stop worrying.




Any ideas other then finding a different dock?

[Raphulk]

my turtles used to do that a lot, I don't think it's that big of a problem, but if it really bugs you the solution would be to take it out.


btw, is your turtle a regular red ear slider? his shell looks really big for his body, or is it just the angle of the picture

[BullDog]

Many people remove the bottom suction cups. The top ones are enough to hold the dock in place. And it's great that you've already turned the bar upsidedown

[steve]

A number of turtles have drowned because of it. I think one solution was using the bars upside down. Either way, there are always other basking platform options for you to choose.

[SpotsMama]

Turn the plastic frame upside down so the horizontal bar is at the top, then remove the rubber suckers that would be underwater. The two suckers at the top are sufficient to hold it in place. All the turtles seem to love getting wedged into the tight place and sure enough, every so often one gets stuck.

[javablog]

I already flipped the bar around, I'll try removing the bottom suction cups too. Thanks guys, hopefully I will have time to finish his ATBA so I won't have this problem any more.

As for his shell, he is a normal RES. It might be the angle of the picture. I know he's suffering from a minor case of pyramiding but we are working on that.

[squirt12345]

my turtles do it to but mine get out