General Care Discussion :: Is my turtle sick, or normal? Sleeping at bottom of tank~

[felix1318]

This has never happen before, this afternoon around 2pm, when i'm back, i found out my biggest turtle, which is 4 inches big, not moving bottom of the tank which is 12 inches of water level, i knocked the tank for few second, then it slowly open it's eyes, then start moving slowly, then back to normal speed...
I know that turtles do sleep during basking, with eye closed, but mine is under water, at the bottom of the tank... is this normal?

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Lol You never saw your turtle do that before?

Yea thats very normal for your turtle to sleep on the bottom of the tank at night. He should be should be sleeping in the water. He has probably been doing it every night and this is the first time you noticed.

[Azfar]

Hehe.. your turtle is sleeping LOL

They can fell asleep at anytime anywhere.. its normal. Nothing to worry. I always saw all my turtles sleep on the bottom at the corner of tank.

[bigG]

My RES can be sleeping on the bottom of the tank, on top of the basking rock, and even sideways in the corner along the basking rock.

[felix1318]

but it was 2 pm when i saw it, i think he is taking an afternoon nap XD thx guys for letting me know, phew, scared me >< but then, if they are sleeping at the bottom, then it shows that they can hold breath real long, wow... This is cool, new to me, i thought they can only hold like for 15 mins...

[cristancanoe]

I caught mine doing that the other day and had the same reaction that you did!

[res08]

I've seen my turtle sleep at the bottom and rise up for air after 20 mins.
Use your camera to record your turtles activities when you are away.

[Mercutia]

My RES sleeps at the bottom of his tank too. It's completely normal.

[CharlieBear]

What about if this sleeping is somewhat excessive? Recently (like the past week or so) my river cooter has been sleeping at the bottom of the tank quite a lot. He still eats and basks normally, but when he is not doing either of those he is sleeping...is this normal?

[Moose]

it could be pretty normal, I would add a few things to the tank put some guppies or minnows in there for him to chase to keep him entertained, E & B get bored pretty easily so i'm always givin them something to do lol

[CharlieBear]

I have had fish in the tank for over a year...the turtle has never had an interest. But thanks for the suggestion

[lovingma09]

ive caught my turtle on his basking area climbing up the glass close to the light sleeping.