We have 4 RES - 2 that we rescued from a pet store who are 5" in length.
and 2 little ones (3"). We have restored the big ones to health over several months, and had an elaborate aquarium set up for them, including basking. They seemed to be thriving.
We have a medium sized, man made pond outside ( 8' x 10' x 2-4' deep) with plants and a waterfall. We put the big turtles in the pond for a little while last week. They liked it so much, but we had to catch them and bring them in. Next day, they wouldn't eat, and we thought they were on strike as they now knew we had an ideal environment for them. Needless to say, they all went out 2 days ago.
Only one of the big turtles ever seems to surface - they aren't basking at all, and we don't know if we've caused some health issues or they are just very happy in the pond. Lord knows what they are eating, altho' there are pond plants and oxygenator. The pond temp is 70 - 72. The outdoor temp is 75 - 85. What can we do? Bring them back inside? To their 75 gallon tank? Are we being silly? Should we just wait for them to get hungry or force them back inside to bask?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
