General Care Discussion :: shy or prefers water?

[Ronin]

I just got a res 2 days ago and it has not used the rock to be used as a above water area. I was wondering if it was not using it because it cant/too shy/getting used to suroundings. It's prob too early, and im just paranoid but i was just curious.

[sonyj]

As long as the basking temp is correct (88-90F) and the water temp is around 78F for a hatchling (72-75F for an older turtle), he should bask when he gets used to his new surroundings.

If the temps aren't correct it could be contributing to him not basking. It does usually take several days for new turtles to feel safe in their new home before they are comfortable putting themselves in the vulnerable position of basking. They see us as "predators" and need to feel safe in order to bask. Give him some space and time and also make sure the basking area is easy for him to get on. Everything should be fine when he adjusts.

[marisa]

You could put something around the outside of the tank where the basking area is to give him privacy and encourage him to bask.

[the_orphaned]

I think he's just getting used to his new surroundings. Mine even does that if i just move a rock. He'd investigate and observe for a while it as if it was going to eat him. And the are kind of shy when people are around when they want to bask unless they're used to you already. I had to save mine from "filter drowning" (getting sucked by the filter thus not being able to breathe) a couple of times before he trusts me enough that I will not try to eat him when I reach out for him. Other than that, I gave him privacy the whole afternoon for his basking.



Now, he's used to me watching him at times when he's basking. He just turns his head watching me also. As long as there are no sudden movements, he'll be happy to just bask while you're there.

[JuelisKaylee]

One of my turtles does the same thing as yours Orphaned....she'll stay there on the rock with her legs all stretched out looking at me, while the other (Kobe) Runse under his rock bridge once I walk into the room. They each have their personalities, so it varies.

[Mikerocosm]

Mine is VERY skittish. I have to have left the room for a good hour before he even attempts to bask. Tonight I tried to build a basking "screen" around the tank with some large unused canvases (I'm a painter).

Result: He was terrified and spent the night jammed between a rock and the filter.

Sometimes you just can't win

M

[JuelisKaylee]

I treidt hat once Mike...putting up a piece of paper by the tank...Kobe did the same thing as yoru turtle. But you know what i noticed...they have me timed. In June when I began staying home during the day (I was on summer vacation, i'm a teacher)...I would come outside to see my husband off at like 7:30...then go back to bed...they woudl wait until like 8:30 to go up on the rock (the shy guy, Kobe). Before I though he NEVER went up there..we didnt even know he could climb. Well i cooped them a couple of days and noticed they waited like 30 minutes after they saw my husband leave to jump up there...and skooted back down when they saw me come out the room.