General Care Discussion :: Questions about not basking and regurgitating

[JenniferandPaws]

OK - I am a first time poster, but I'm coming here in hopes that someone can offer good advice.

A few days ago, We adopted a red eared slider (about 1 1/2 old). Everything has been great, and we're truly enjoying her.
She has been with us two days now, and has not basked yet. We've been eagerly awaiting for her to do so, but she hasn't. I'm concerned as to why she's not doing so, and If she's not basking, what health problems can arise. I read an article on this site stating that they won't bask If the proper conditions aren't there for them, but I'm not quite sure how to fix this problem. Her water is the right temperature, even though we have not used a heater. We went to a local aquarium with a few questions, and they told us that there was really no reason for us to use a heater considering the temperature inside the house, and the fact that her water isn't going to get chilled. Of course we'd be providing a heater in the winter, or any time It is chilly, but so far, without a heater the water has been the right temperature. (We have a thermometer inside the aquarium) She is eating very well, in fact she eats like a little pig when she does eat. She is very active, and not acting lethargic or anything. I am not quite sure how to fix this problem, and get her to bask. We have provided a seperate basking area with the correct lamp. What happens If she does not bask? Is there something I should really be concerned about? or is this possibly because she is in a new home (even though she still has the same aquarium and set up as she had in the previous home)?

Another question I had was about her regergatating. She actually regergatated a fish, and before It came out of her mouth fully, she swallowed It. Is this normal? or should I be concerned about her possibly being sick?

Sorry for such a long post, but I'm truly concerned and I don't want to leave out any details.
Also - We have a 30 gallon tank, although we're going to be upgrading to a 100gall. This is what she came with.. In this tank is about 15-17 gallons of water.. and it's currently about 78-80 degrees (would love to know how to lower this!) and she has a little dock that she can walk up, and then an area for her to bask ..

[missibsu]

My guess is that because you are eagerly awaiting her to bask, that she isn't getting any privacy. My turtles won't bask when I am in the same room with them. If you leave the room for a couple of hours and sneak back, you might catch her. I have heard of people video taping while they are gone as well. Another thing that you could do is provide a protective screen around her basking area.

Turtles who are in a new environment take a few days to adjust too, and it could just be a matter of waiting it out. I wouldn't get too concerned yet. Just make sure it doesn't become a daily thing.

Another thought. You know what your water temp is, but what is the basking temp? Is she encouraged to bask? Basking area should be about 10 degrees warmer than the water temp. If it isn't warm enough, she won't bask.

As for lowering your water temp, keeping a couple of old pop bottles with frozen water in them is a good. You can toss them in the tank to lower the temp. Just keep an eye on them so that it doesn't get too cool. Also, the more water you have, the harder it is to keep it cool with this method.

The regergitation I don't have an answer for. I know that when my turts were smaller a lot of things took a couple of gulps to get it down. They weren't very good with biting all the way thru things and it looked like it was coming back out. I don't know if that is what you are experiencing or not.

[cprcheetah]

My Zeke whom is 5 years old and I rescued about 3 weeks ago would not bask in front of me for the first few days I had him. Every time I would go in his room he would dart bacck into the water. As far as the regurgitating...I think that's how they chew/eat. As my Zeke doesn't swallow his crickets whole or anything in one bite.

[JenniferandPaws]

Yeah.. She has been in our living room, which is heavy traffic. Whenever we leave the room for a while, I'll slowly walk out to try to catch her. She does sometimes go up the ramp and then peek like she's interested, but hopefully soon she will actually bask.

As far as the regurgitating, It actually happened the next morning.. So she ate the fish, and then the next morning she regurgitated It and swallowed It. When she ate the fish, she swallowed them whole.. like a little shark!

In one of the responses.. (thanks to those who responded!) It was suggested to put a frozen bottle of water in there for a minute to lower the temperature.. this may be stupid.. but what about putting a couple of ice cubes in there here and there? Is that a bad idea? as long as they are larger and not something she can swallow?

[missibsu]

I've heard of ice. Some people use large containers to make large ice cubes. The benefit of the pop bottle is that it is reusable and not messy. It's your choice though.

[steve]

I'd like to add that store-bought ice isn't really the cleanest variety. Bottles are much more convenient.

[missibsu]

That's a good point. I also just remembered that I was going to mention treating the water before freezing it. Granted it isn't a lot of ice. Just better safe than sorry. Plus if it has to be done continually, it will add up.