General Care Discussion :: How to handle

[Casserdoodles]

Hey guys..

I just got my two turtles a bit less than a month ago. They're both about five months old, and they get along fine with each other. They seem to be doing quite well, but I was wondering if anybody had some advice on how best to get them used to me.

I suppose it will take time for them to grow accustomed to being pulled out of their tank, but I'm not sure how to go about handling them. My parents tell me that it would be best to handle them often, so they get used to the experience, but I read on this site that if they are stressed by being held (which they quite obviously are) it is best to leave them alone. Edwin is the feisty one, and he's developed a habit of biting me every time I try to touch him (of course, this isn't painful--just a bit depressing), while Simon is just shy; he hides in his shell if I pick him up.

How can I make them like me?! lol

Cassie

[scripta_elegans]

If you hand feed them treats before and after you pick them up, they will be far more likely to look forward to it. They will associate your hand with treats, so if you give them shrimp or krill get them to take it from your fingers. You can also feed them pellets this way daily, but it's a little time consuming.

[grey goose]

Although some turts are friendly right from the start, most take time to get used to you. My Beaker still doesnt fully trust me and I've had her for a year......

[SpotsMama]

With some turtles it just takes time. Spot's about 4 now, and it's only in the last year that he's really been friendly and seems to like me and isn't afraid any more at all. In general the grown turtles are less afraid than the little ones.

Industrial-girl-2000 had a good suggestion. The way to a turtle's heart is through his/her stomach. When they associate you with their food then they'll run towards you instead of away from you! Try dividing up their daily allotment of food into several little feedings and give them some by hand every time you walk by the aquarium.

[myrtle1123]

I asked this same question and I got a lot of answers. I started getting a pellet and hand feeding my turtle. Now when ever I walk into the room she comes swimming up to the glass. She is still young and I dont really let her out on the ground but I hold her and she is getting use to me. I've had her for about three months now and she has made much inprovement she doesnt run off the dock anymore. It will take some time but your turtles will soon get used to you by relateing you with food. Try ging maybe half a pellet or something when you walk into the room. Dont worry they will soon love you and wont be so shy/aggressive.

[Tenodera]

lol this is is the opposite for me and my turtle

After a few hours I just got her she readily fed out of my hand (providing it was tasty) and liked me to pick her up and take her to new places...

yea, I agree with the other ppl's advice. Try feeding them some lettuce or treats from your hand

[scripta_elegans]

Tenodora- What do the newts eat?

[Tenodera]

oh..
They eat bloodworms, reptomin and occasionally, earthworms

[Casserdoodles]

Thanks for all the advice!

I'll try giving them bits of food before and after I pick them up. They already know I feed them (they swim to the glass every time I come in the room) but they just don't like being held/carried around. This idea seems promising.

Thanks!

Cassie

[industrial_girl_2000]

As much as I would love my Sheba to be a "lapdog", she just hates being picked up & carried, so I let her walk & interact with her on a personal basis on the floor. We play little games together on the carpet where I will follow her, then I turn around & she follows me.

BUT, and here's the BUT: I've had Sheba for 17 yrs & have always had a great deal of interaction with her from the start. It didn't take me long to figure out that feeding in the tank was impossible from a cleanliness stand point of view, so I started feeding her in a separate dish of water. In doing this, she hated being carried to the dish, so I let her walk & led her with some tasty stinky piece of food (like fish). So that's how she started following me. As a result, time out of the tank became non-stressful for her because 9 times out of 10, I had a treat in my hand & she got used to it.

So if your turtles start to panic when they are out of the tank, just keep in mind that they are out of their safe place when they are out of the tank & it may take a very long time to establish that trust between you. It can be done with a lot of patience & care though.