General Care Discussion :: Will my turtles always be so timid?

[greerman29]

I just got my turtles two weeks ago and they are hatchlings. They seem to be really timid when I come up to tank and lots of times they swim away and hide in their cave. Even when I come to feed them they hide until I either sit still for a little or leave entirely.

My Friends turtles are probably around 3 weeks older than mine and they seem to be much more people friendly. When he goes to feed them they swim right up to him to beg and they never quickly swim away when he or anyone gets close.

Is there anything I can do to make them less scared all the time?

[d0eb0y]

itll take time but should happen
ive had my res for like 9 months now
and all i do it whistle and he knows its feedin time and comes right up
no lie

[scripta_elegans]

I highly rcomend giving them a litle treat when they come out to see you. Eventually you can get them to take a pellet or mini shrimp out of your fingers. Then instead of hiding when they see you, they'll make a great splashing ruckus at the side of the tank.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I hand feed all my little pets, especially the hatchling.

Some turtles are just more shy than others (just like people they have their own personalities!).

[ksflash]

This may seem like a silly question, but how do you hold the pellet to avoid getting your fingers snapped at. Our turtle is pretty tame and we can hold him but everyonce in a while he gets snap happy. I would love to get him to eat out of my hand before he gets any bigger (he is about 2 1/2 inches).

[adam85491]

I just hold it at the tip of the stick, but for those little round ones (HBH), I just let them grap it right out but it doesn't hurt since they are little, my little guy thinks it is a game or something as he bites everything, but lets go right away.

[pumpkinsherbet]

my turtles are at a point when they see me in the morning, they know they're about to get food. i've a routine, i wake up early in the morning and feed them their pellets. the other food comes later in the day. they used to spend a great deal of their time in hiding, now they barely acknowledge their hiding spots. you just have to give them time to get used to your presence. avoid handling them more than you have to. don't make sudden moves. a few days ago john and i just stared at each other for a bit, then he climbed on his basking spot only to plop back in the water the second i moved.