General Care Discussion :: still not basking

[coopersnow]

My RES still isn't basking. I don't know how many days a turtle should go without being dry or how soft his shell can go in a few days so should I force my RES to bask by putting it in a container under the lamp?

[seano997]

How long have you had your turtle? Or is it possible they have just been basking whenever you aren't around? And is your turtle even able to get to it's basking area?

[coopersnow]

I've had it about a week.

I don't think it's basking at all, I've watched it on webcam a bit and I haven't caught it doing it at all lately. It hasn't basked since I changed the basking area setup and I tried the old setup and he still wouldn't bask.

Pretty sure the turtle can get up, it isn't steep or anything and there's lots of grip.
Here's a pic from my webcam, currently don't have my better cam so sorry for the quality. http://twitpic.com/1dp22n

[seano997]

It's possible that it might not feel very secure up on the basking dock and usually with environment changes (changing the basking area or whatever) can make them a little stressed out so that might be part of it.

Maybe you can try setting it up on the dock so it can at least get a look around and see that everything is safe up there. It might scurry off right away but at least it might begin to know it can go up there if that makes any sense.

Also, what is the temperature of the basking area? It might be too warm for your turtle to hang out up there for very long.

[coopersnow]

Yeah I thought maybe he would feel unsafe about having to run a football field if he saw me and got scared so maybe that's why. Stupid 30$ floating rock hardly fits and I can't cut anymore off. I'm trying to find something else to use but it's near impossible and I'm always good at improvising too!

I don't know the temperature exactly but the rock isn't really hot at all, just a bit warm. The thermometer for my tanks going through a hole in the dock and it's at 85 right now.

[seano997]

I would try making something out of simple plexi glass and eggcrate. That way you can cut everything to fit nice and neat. Both of which you can find at Home Depot or Lowes or whatever is comparable to where you live.

[steve]

I would try corkbark, it's very natural and customizable.

[dhtang]

Yeah, from my personal experience..

My map only basks when he feels it's completely safe (he sticks his head above water for a few mins) and then ensures the basking area is indeed sturdy; also, i lower the water temp. a bit if i find he's not basking much.

With the slightly lowered water temp. he feels, his body will suggest him to bask, get warm and dry up. And finally, I found that if the turtle tank is placed at an area with constant interruptions, it is best to build your basking area with a cover or such so that he does not see ppl walking back and forth, it's disturbing.

Hope it helps.