General Care Discussion :: Only basks his head

[CountryGirl68]

Okay, so I've had Tanner for a day now, and he doesn't want to bask. I wasn't concerned yesterday because at the petstore, he had almost no water so all he could do was bask. I put him on the dock once yesterday to "show" him where it is but he just jumped off and now he ducks if I get near the tank. I'm not concerned about that because I'd be petrified too if a giant grabbed me and put me on my bed!

I'm not worried just yet but curious of one thing. All day yesterday, he would stick his head out of the water right next to the turtle dock where a bit of light shines - it looked like he was tanning his head. This morning, I turned on the light (TRex Activa UVA, UVB and heat light) and he is still doing the tanning bit but not making any attempts to bask.

When should I be concerned about his not going up to bask? His setup is in the living room (only place I have space for a tank). There's only me and hubby at home. Computer is in the living room too. I'm looking for a way to cover the basking area so he can feel he has more privacy but I've got no ideas since any cover I put on the tank will prevent the light from shining on his dock.

Water is 76.7F and dock is 87.3F.

[grey goose]

He is definatly tempted to haul out and bask, but you have to remember, right now he is running on pure instinct, and its telling him that its not safe to bask, not yet, when theres' two "big heads" (you and huibby) in the room....be patient and let him get used to you first. Don't put up any barriers, and dont change your routine. Just feed him and try to keep things quiet for the first week or so. I firmly believe that a barrier will only prolong his adjustment. Also, if he is a baby, I'd take the water temp up to 78, and basking to 90. My three kids are just passing the 5 mo. mark, all were petrified in the beginning, now one by one they have all come out of their shell, so to speak, and are working on their individual begging routine.

[CountryGirl68]

He's not a baby - he must be at least a year old since he's 4" (shell). He ate 5 pellets I dropped in yesterday and a small piece of romaine. Today, I clipped a piece of romaine to the tank right by the underwater part of the turtle dock to "lure" him. He just goes by every once in a while, chomps off a piece of the lettuce then goes under the dock to eat. I've avoided the tank all morning and hubby wasn't home until about 12:00p so he's been on his own. I peaked in on him every so often to see if he was basking but he just had his head out like before.

I'm not worried yet because his shell is fine - I checked it when we got home yesterday; he's even shedding a bit.

[missibsu]

Places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels, maybe even Lowes and Walmart, sell screens. They are a free standing fold out screen. You can place it next to your tank to make a barrier and then take it down when you have company, etc. Because it is separate from your tank, it wouldn't block the light.

Something like this

[KellyP]

I wouldnt be too worried about him not basking yet. Mine took a few days to get use to things before they would bask. And at first they only did it when I wasn't in the room. Sometimes I would walk in and hear a "splash". So I knew they had been on the dock, but jumped off when they heard me coming.

[steve]

I'm using a shower curtain that I picked up from a 99¢ store to throw on the side for some quick cover if I feel they need it. He's still adjusting to his new tank and surroundings. Nothing to worry about.

[Shavannah]

Gandalf is 3 years old, has always basked no matter who's in the room, unless we get too close, then he dives back into the water. Every month, when I clean his tank, it's like he needs to learn basking all over again. I just completely redecorated everything in his tank this weekend, and he's 'head-basking' like yours. It just takes a little time. He goes halfway up, checks it out for a long time, then back into the water. Keep us updated!

[marisa]

Almost anything can be used to make a barrier for the sides if the tank. Try some aquarium backing taped to the outside.

[Shavannah]

This morning, the lights came on at 9, they're on a timer, and within a minute or two, Gandalf was all the way up on his dock and basking.
It could be that Tanner is just loving all that water right now. Keep us updated, he'll probably start basking any time. Just make sure the temp is 10 degrees warmer than his water, as stated by Grey Goose.

[CountryGirl68]

I do believe Tanner was just so happy at having more than 2 inches of water (like at the petstore) that he didn't want to come out. He did start basking today - when my husband came home for lunch, Tanner scrambled back into the water.

The water temp was 76F and the basking 87F. I just wasn't sure how long was too long without basking - he hadn't basked since we brought him home on Saturday. But now that's in the past.

[Shavannah]

That's great to hear!
Now I'm the one with basking problems! Gandalf's first full day in his new setup was today (Tues). He got on his dock right away when the lights came on at 9am. He came off to eat at 1pm, then right back on again. He came off for a few minutes two times between 1 and 9pm (lights off). He's never basked that long before. I will keep an eye on that behavior over the next couple of days. If it continues, does anyone know what I can do?

[SebastianMillhouse]

After my turtle's been basking for a while he turns around, dips his head into the water, gets a drink and goes right back to basking! It's pretty funny.