General Care Discussion :: how long do they bask?

[tammi]

My little guy (Luckie) has finally decide to bask. He's been up there now for 2.5 hrs. Is that normal?
I never see my big guy (Slider) bask. I know he does because he jumps off his basking site when I come in the room.
So how long is normal for basking?

[theartbook35]

They usually bask up to six hours a day. They should get off of the basking spot eventually to cool off.

If they never leave their basking area, that's a clue that something is wrong... I just don't remember what, specifically.

[tammi]

Luckie finally did go swim but now he's hangout in the warth of the light half in and half out of the water.

[marisa]

Basking time varies with the turtle and, to me, it seems with the weather somewhat. On some days mine bask very little, other days a lot. They'll often bask after they've eaten (the warmth helps them digest their food).

If you know what's "normal" for your turtles, you'll be able to tell if something is out of the ordinary.

[VanishingReality]

My little guy tends to bask mostly in the morning and early afternoon. Sometimes he will only get off the ramp if we slam the door or something. When he was younger he used to bask a lot less. Now he wants to bask all the time. A few days ago he even attempted to bask even though his light was off because the overhead light was off.

I would say it is normal unless the timing becomes erratic. Like if he goes from not basking at all to basking all the time or the opposite.