General Care Discussion :: 2 things

[rayzherup]

ok, two things.

1. I got some colored rocks to put at the bottom of the tank, not gravel but colored rocks. Is that ok?

2. y does my turtle stick his/her leg out in the air at a very odd angle when he/she basks?

[DavidY]

1. If they're made for aquariums and are bigger than the turtle's head they should be okay.

2. He he, it's cute when they do that. I think they're trying to look sexy or something. Actually, I think they might be doing it to expose more surface area to the light to absorb the heat and UV into their blood stream. Their rear feet are like huge paddles or solar collectors.

[Hoooneylynn]

Oddly enough, I think it also means they are relaxed...

[rayzherup]

oh... well cool. lol. Do turtles have mood swings? lmao like one day they are more relaxed and don't wanna swim around as much, or one day they don't wana bask as much, or one day they just wanna sit at the bottom of the tank? just wondering...

[marisa]

Their behavior can change from day to day, and what you described sounds pretty normal to me. My RES tends to bask more when it's rainy than when it's sunny, for example. Any marked change in behavior for an extended period of time (refusal to eat, sleeping a lot, for example) is one that I'd view with suspicion.

[rayzherup]

what about floating? my little one likes to float, but he still eats great.

[marisa]

Well, they do like to float. Aside from good eating, is he still active? Does he bask? It doesn't sound like there's a problem from what you wrote.

[rayzherup]

yea he loves top bask, and swim. I was just makin sure...

[alexis_906]

I love it when they bask with their legs out like that I call it doing the Superman